JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
Journal of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1597-0396
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-JSMS
Email: jsms@universityjournals.org
URBAN TRAFFIC CONGESTION COST: AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE
DOI: 10.5897/UJ-JSMS.16.002.1 | Article Number: F64BB22 | Vol.10 (3) - September 2015
Authors: Suit P. O. and Atubi Augustus O.
Keywords: Damage function, indicators, curve equations, baseline, road capacity, congestion, cost
This paper presents environmental cost concept of traffic congestion using pollution damage function. It adopts the cost definitive concept of road engineers, economists, transport experts, technicians and socialist on traffic congestion of the urban road transport system. These concepts are analyzed using speed—traffic volume, time-traffic volume, curves and economic equations with road capacity. Hypothetical Curve equations and emission concentration—traffic volume relationships of environmental damage function were used to define and express environmental aspects of traffic congestion using free-flow as baseline for measuring damage- traffic volume relationship with vehicular emission/pollutants concentration as a single digit damage indicator for environmental components such as water, air, vegetation, and human health excluding heat, sound and vibrations. Also, various environmental impact indicators such as smog, acid rain, deterioration of urban cities, artistic structures, etc, that reveals urban traffic congestion as bad or worsening syndrome that cost the environment are examined with several ways of reducing or dealing with the costs.