Environmental Consequences of Volumetric Traffic Flow in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper seek to examined the environmental consequences of volumetric traffic flow with respect the relationship between traffic flow concentration and concentration (Mg/L) of pollutants and accident rate in Calabar. The volumetric traffic count was done at three peak-hour periods in each day for nine days for two weeks at ten (10) strategic positions in the study area. The collection of air samples were done with the aid of absorption filters from 20 sample status within Calabar metropolis. However, the absorption filters were exposed between 6:30am and 7:15pm each day for nine days in the mouth of April, 2010. The readings were analyzed in the laboratory and comparism was carry out with tolerance units for Ambient air pollutants. Findings revealed that, Air pollutant such as carbon dioxide (C02) nitrogen oxides (N0) Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon monoxide (C0) and particulate concentrations were above threshold level. With this result of analyses, it shows that there is a positive relationship between air pollutants concentration and volumetric traffic flow in the area. Therefore, proper environment management is needed to prevent severe thread on the human ecosystem in Calabar metropolis.