Abstract
The current, mostly dilapidated, expensive, poorly organised, unsustainable and non-eco-friendly transportation system in Lagos, the 5th biggest economy in Africa is incapable of meeting the mobility demand of the over 20 million populations. It has also been the subject of several reforms, policies and projects over the past 20 years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current transportation infrastructure, analyse the current policies, plans and projects on transportation reforms and evaluate the benefits of integrating underground space use in achieving a scalable, robust, dynamic and sustainable transportation network that will meet both present and future needs. This study evaluates the current transportation infrastructure, highlighting the efficiency and level of integration of Lagos’s transportation system. Analysis of the current developmental plans as well as current policies, blueprints and the ongoing projects aimed at improving transportation infrastructure, reduce congestion and improve travel time was also carried out. These developmental plans were evaluated in terms of their flexibility with respect to a geometric increase in population, dynamicity and sustainability in terms of utilization of the limited land space, disruption of existing landscape and efficiency in meeting current and future needs. A proposed model based on smart infrastructure and utilization of underground space was put forward in this study as a way of optimizing and achieving a sustainable transportation system in Lagos. The current system of transportation which currently comprises of minibuses which are mostly dilapidated and expensive, the more modern Bus rapid transit (BRT) and the waterways. The introduction of the BRT in 2007 (Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Nigeria, 2018) was able to ease difficulties experienced by commuters, especially along its operational routes. However, till date, the demand for BRT far exceeds the services rendered and public transport in Lagos is dominated by the inefficient, expensive, low quality and dangerous informal sector. A key part of Lagos urban development plan is the Strategic Transportation Masterplan which captures the construction of 7 Metro lines, one of which is being constructed. The Movement of haulage, as well as petroleum products from Nigeria’s main port at Apapa, is observed to be the major cause of regular blockade along that axis which is one of the major links between the mainland and the island. The high car density of 264 vehicles per kilometre of the roadway as at 2015 shows that the current road network in Lagos is inefficient and will require expansion. Expansion of the road network and construction of new bridges such as the proposed fourth mainland bridge will lead to increased noise pollution, changes in the urban landscape and depletion of available land space. A population growth rate of 6% per annum and a projected 36 million populations by 2050 will require re-adapting its transportation model. Integrating underground space use into Lagos’s Urban Re-generational plan will provide efficient options for Lagos’s transportation network. Emerging technologies such as hyperloop system which guarantees lower commute time with low energy were also considered in this study. Key Words: Transportation systems, sustainability, policies, underground space use, smart infrastructure, Lagos.
