REAL-TIME TRAFFIC ANALYSIS IN MAIDUGURI CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT USING UAV SYSTEMS

This research focused on determination of vehicular traffic flow around the Central Business District (CBD) in Maiduguri Township with the aid of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A field reconnaissance survey was conducted to designate the peak hour periods. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or drone which is remotely controlled to a high elevation captured the scene of traffic from all trajectories using aerial videography. Results of the traffic volume data were considered based on different compositions and converted to the equivalent passenger car unit (PCU). In addition, averages traffic volume in terms of PCU for the designated peak hours were considered for morning, afternoon and evening during the seven-day study period. The data obtained were recorded on a memory card and subsequently post-processed on a high-performance computer. The analysis of the showed that tricycles constituted between 76 to 86%, with the highest volume being 851 and 623 vehicles per hour which occurred along Ahmadu Bello Way East and West bounds during the morning and afternoon peak periods, respectively. Mogaram Road which evacuates traffic from the Monday Market area yielded 821 vehicles per hour during the evening peak. The Peak Hour Factors computed for the study period ranged between 0.52 to 0.92 which indicated concentrated flow patterns along all the trajectories within the CBD. On-street parking by tricycles is a major challenge to traffic flow in the CBD. The roads within the CBDs be dualize, provide parking bay, pedestrian walk way and enforce traffic rules