Application of Spot Speed Study and Delay Analysis on Some Selected Roads in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Studies show that speeding reduces reaction time during emergencies and increases accident risk. Deviations from the mean speed affect road capacity and user safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the speeds and travel times for various classes of vehicles on selected roads in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, using manual traffic studies and spot speed analyses to define speed parameters and Speed Spread Ratio (SSR) on the roads. The study shows Class 2 and Class 5 roads have high heavy vehicle usage. Asaba-Agbor Road's design, safe, and minimum speeds are 78.81 km/h, 58.65 km/h, and 29.00 km/h, respectively. Other roads range from 60.44 km/h to 68.9 km/h, with median speeds of 34-40 km/h. Summit Road's wide speed variation raises safety concerns. Nnebisi Road experiences increasing delays and congestion towards the week's end, while Summit Road maintains stable travel times and speeds, indicating predictable traffic patterns.