Sixteenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of mobile phone usage on intra-urban travel patterns of residents in Lagos, Nigeria, with a view to reducing traffic on the road. This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of residents in the study area, residents’ mobile phone usage, their travel patterns, and the relationship between their travel patterns and usage of mobile phones. Structured questionnaires were administered to 178 residents of selected wards in the study area. A systematic sampling technique was used for the study. Analysis was done using frequency tables, charts, cross tabulation, and the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. The study revealed that the average travel distance of respondents was 10 km. Travel purposes of respondents were mainly for official assignments and visitations (38.2%). Average appointments cancelled as a result of mobile phone calls was < 5 while trips completed as a result was also < 5 times per day, while trip induced calls was < 5trips daily. There was a significant positive correlation between the respondents’ received calls and appointments cancelled (n=178, p> 0.01, r=0.480). There was a positive relationship between respondents’ calls frequency and number of trips completed per day (n=178, p< 0.05, r=0.194). There was also a positive relationship between call frequency by the respondents and travel induced (n=178, p> 0.01, r=0.204). The study recommends improved mobile technology as a solution to further discourage trips leading to intra-urban traffic.