Evaluating Road Network Connectivity and Accessibility among Small Sized Urban Centres in Kogi State, Nigeria

Road structure determines road network connectivity and enhances the level of accessibility. Therefore, the study evaluates road network connectivity and accessibility among small-sized urban centres in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study adopted purposive sampling techniques to select (20) local government headquarters in Kogi State which are referred to as the (SSUCs). Data on the existing road network, edges, vertices and density was obtained from the digitised road network map of the study area. The method of analysis includes beta, alpha, eta and gamma indices including cyclomatic number, aggregate transport score and road density. Finding of the study shows a total of 918 vertices and 770 edges. The calculated total road length (TRL) 851.43, Land area (LA) 196.93sqkm, Alpha index (AI), -1.63, Beta Index (BI), 16.08 and Gamma Index (GI) 5.67. Also, cyclomatic index (CI), -16.8, Aggregate transport score (ATS),-147.58, Eta Index (EI), 25.88 and Road density (RD) 101.99. The study concludes that the SSUCs in Kogi State have poor road network connectivity and this affects the level of accessibility. Therefore, the study recommends the construction of more road networks by the government to enhance accessibility among the SSUCs in the state. Also, Kogi state government should put in place a road infrastructure development plan and policy for implementation.