Summary Research Method
Summary Research Method
Summary Research Method
MARCH 2022
By;
o.
'Building our way out' is the traditional response to traffic congestion. This
could literally mean to expand the existing road infrastructure or to build
more roads. It could also imply adding more capacity in the form of
alternative modes of transportation. These enhancements, on the other hand,
may cause behavioural changes that, while helpful to the individual
commuter, may have effects for a system's efficiency and for society as a
whole.
This is a basic research that focuses on how computer hardware and software
can be used to solve the issue of traffic on Kenyan roads. The Circulatory
Process Model is utilized in the execution of this research since it is notable
that the factors contributing to traffic congestion glitches do not evolve
irrespective of the area under consideration.
The gap analysis identified in the literature review between this research and
the existing information is that the prime methodology of solving the traffic
menace being discussed are pegged only to the consideration of developing
physical road infrastructure rather than the reflections on how technology
(Computer hardware and software) can be exploited to facilitate the same.
Additionally, they focus on immediate impact rather than the long-term
benefits.
The major point to take home is that this study has outlined possible
technological sectors that can be exploited to decongest traffic on Kenyan
roads. Further, these technologies will give rise to an Intelligent Transport
System (ITS) which incorporates the evolution to smart cities that will be well
organised. Additionally, clarity is given that the implementation cost may be
high, however, the long-term benefit is worth the investment. More detailed
explanation of the clarifications of the technological solutions are discussed
on our PowerPoint.
Introduction
When you mention the word “traffic” in a public space it is enough to make
anyone feel nervous and upset. A large percentage of Kenyans rely on
automobiles to get to and from home on a daily basis, especially those who
reside in urban areas.
Traffic jams in our country has been a major drawback in the transport sector
for a long period of time. This mainly affects major cities like Nairobi, Nakuru,
Kisumu, Mombasa etc. and also other major towns in the country which are
still growing. Traffic congestion/jams in towns have often had detrimental
effects. A good example of this scenario is patients being conveyed via road
to hospitals some unfortunately never make it because the motorists can’t
maneuver their way out of a traffic jam. Another example is people often get
late for their appointments because they end up wasting a lot of time in
traffic jams. Delicate goods being ferried to various places also sometimes
end up getting spoilt because of the long hours spent on road. The list of
effects is endless. In general Hundreds of potential hours and huge amounts
of money are lost when there’s no continuous flow of traffic around major
cities.
Literature Review
Gap Analysis
The primary methodology of solving the traffic menace being discussed is
pegged only to the consideration of developing physical road infrastructure
rather than reflections on how technology (Computer hardware and software)
can be exploited to facilitate the same. Furthermore, they are more
concerned with the immediate impact other than with the long-term benefits.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework of this study is based on the variables people,
traffic and technology (both computer hardware & software.) Technology in
this context serves as the mediating variable between people and traffic,
such that Traffic is dependent to people however technology mediates
between the two by providing viable means to ease traffic.
PEOPL TRAFFI
E C
TECHNOLOG
Y
Problem Statement & Hypothesis
We believe that traffic congestion has become a national concern. This
research employs innovative technologies to help relieve stress on public
Page 1 of 6
road infrastructure. After determining the smoking gun, we plan to develop
technology solutions that might revolutionize the transportation industry. We
can use technology to confront this issue because the world is changing at a
rapid pace technologically.
1. The use of smart traffic lights to monitor and control traffic using
algorithms should cut traffic on major cities and towns.
2. If Vehicle to Infrastructure (V-to-I) technology can be incorporated in
the transport system then vehicles will share their data to a
centralized system which uses data analytics to optimize routes that
are not prone to traffic jams.
3. By enhancing technology, such as online booking systems, will
reduce the usage of automobiles by Kenyan residents, hence
lowering the number of vehicles on the road.
4. If we integrate the use of CCTV cameras, lidars and radars to
monitor roads as well as keep track of the current traffic situation on
roads, stakeholders will have necessary data which may prove
beneficial to analysis and deductions of the best way forward to
curb traffic jams.
5. If we implement weigh-in-motion (WIM) technologies then traffic
offenders will be identified and penalized as per the law.
6. If smart parking systems are implemented then traffic jams in cities will
be resolved as vehicles won’t have to circle around parking lots looking
for slots.
7. The use of mass media for example radio stations for traffic updates
will be informative to motorists. They will be aware of traffic prone
areas and divert to less congested routes.
8. If sensitization on the use of Google Maps is emphasized then traffic
cingestion can be minimized.
9. The usage of drones in cities to do tasks such as inspection,
maintenance, and delivery would reduce the number of vehicles on
roads that would otherwise be required to complete these tasks,
resulting in reduced traffic jams.
10. If autonomous self-driving cars are implemented then traffic
jams caused by motorists will be reduced.
Page 2 of 6
some of them have achieved success in their implementation. Kenya can also
employ the same to achieve the objective to ease traffic on her roads. The
following are the feasible technologies that can be used.
1. The use of smart traffic lights to monitor and control traffic using sensors
and algorithms should cut traffic on major cities and towns.
Page 3 of 6
sharing, renting a bicycle and so on. If they agree on its suggestion, they
can get an e-ticket for all transportation means with one click.
Lidar
Current traffic sensors, such as radar and cameras, do not provide three-
dimensional data or trajectory information. Furthermore, the camera's
performance diminishes in a dark environment. Lidar sensors with 360-
degree surround vision capabilities, on the other hand, are a compelling
option since they accurately and often collect 3D data about adjacent
objects. Lidar sensors can operate in a number of lighting conditions,
including daytime, dusk, and night. Using algorithms, the sensors can
provide information about traffic patterns - e.g. are vehicles changing
lanes in the middle of an intersection? are they speeding? - but also the
interactions among the various users of a road.
WIM technologies
Overloaded vehicles are often slow and over speeding vehicles risk the
event of accidents. These are issues that can lead to traffic congestion.
Implementing WIM systems on our highways will help reduce traffic
congestion by improving the ability to identify traffic offenders who
overload and overspeed vehicles since this technology will be able to
capture the 3D model of the vehicle, their weights, speeds and other
necessary details. These details will be forwarded to a central station for
the law to take cause, however the vehicle is allowed to continue without
causing traffic.
6. If smart parking systems are implemented then traffic jams in cities will be
resolved as vehicles won’t have to circle around parking lots looking for
slots.
Smart parking systems will have LED signboards at the entry point of the
parking zone. Real time vacancy availability will be displayed on LED
signboards at the entry. This will be beneficial intel to motorists as they
Page 4 of 6
will know which parking slots are available even before entering. Also
available parking slots information can be displayed on websites and
phone applications so as drivers entering the cities know beforehand
where to go instead of circling around the city looking for spaces.
All this work together to prevent drivers from causing traffic circling
around parking lots and roads.
7. The use of mass media for example radio stations for traffic updates will
be informative to motorists. They will be aware of traffic prone areas and
divert to less congested routes.
Drone Usage
Most jobs that formerly required inspectors, maintenance and delivery
personnel, or city authorities to go in vehicles can now be completed using
drone cameras thanks to the emergence of IoT-based drones. Drones can
quickly reduce the number of trucks and buses on roads, especially during
peak hours. This can be evident in cities that use them for minor repairs
and most inspections instead of sending out field workers in a truck.
Page 5 of 6
Autonomous vehicle technology
While autonomous vehicles are unlikely to reduce the number of
automobiles on the road, they will likely minimize traffic congestion and
collisions caused by driver error.
More first- and last-mile options for public transportation will assist to
alleviate traffic congestion by lowering the number of passenger vehicles
on the road. Companies like Lyft and Uber, for example, are investigating
how autonomous vehicles could make their services more viable when
used in conjunction with public transportation.
V-to-I has been used in States like Wyoming to help cars and trucks pass
congested and hazardous areas safely.
Conclusion
The research hereby concludes that the above technologies if implemented,
will give birth to an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) which comprises smart
cities ……, that will ease the problem of traffic congestion. The
implementation costs for these technologies is high, however, the long-term
benefit will be significantly valuable to the country’s economy e.g. in cutting
down the unproductive time & fuel consumptions rate, reducing pollution,
and other hidden costs associated to traffic congestion.
Page 6 of 6
Reference
1. SMARTWAY Created Through Vehicles Infrastructure
Cooperation: Building Safe Roads with AHS and National Land
Innovations
Morikita Publishing Co. Inc. (December 2013)
Google Scholar
H. Makino, H. Kanoshima, Y. Tanaka
3. Bull, Alberto. “Traffic Congestion. The Problem and How to Deal with
It.”
Https://Repositorio.cepal.org/Bitstream/Handle/11362/37898/1/LCG219
9P_en.pdf, Naciones Unidas, Cepal,
repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/37898/1/LCG2199P_en.p
df. Traffic congestion: the problem and how to deal with it.
Page 7 of 6
8. Innovative Ideas to Reduce Traffic Congestion with Smart City
Tech. (2020, July 20). Get My Parking Blog.
https://blog.getmyparking.com/2020/07/20/7-innovative-ideas-to-
reduce-traffic-congestion-with-smart-city-tech/
Page 8 of 6