A REAL TIME TRANSPORT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC BUS TRANSPORT SERVICE IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Transport information systems are gaining increased popularity among public bus transport users in developed countries as it provides basic first hand and genuine real time travel information to road users. While these technologies are perceived beneficial to travellers in developed countries, these technologies have rarely been explored in developing countries. Also this research area are still very new and there are very limited studies on this topic. In developing counties such as Nigeria, travellers suffer daily from poor travel information such as unreliable route guidance information, unpredictable bus arrival times, unreliable traffic information, to name a few. The aim of this dissertation is to further explore the various information challenges Nigerian commuters face while using public bus transport as well as design a real time transport information system to improve the commuting experience of people who travel by public buses in Nigeria.
In order to fulfil the objectives of this study, this study adopted a combination of Mixed-methods Sequential Exploratory Design and Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM) – for the development of a real time transport information system. Structured online questionnaires and interview sections captured evaluation of real-life experience of road users with the developed system.
The results of this evaluation shows that the proposed system reveals genuine live travel information, such as bus arrival and departure times, schedule trips, estimate journey times, bus route information, vehicle information.
In conclusion, this dissertation has made a significant contribution to the field of information systems as it is a study that explored extensively the key information challenges road users encounter while travelling via public buses in Nigeria.
Keywords: Transport information systems, Public bus transport, Drivers, Commuters, Admin