Impacts of Integrated Security-Based Approach on Traffic Congestion in Eldoret City, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to assess the effects of integrated security-based approach on Traffic congestion in Eldoret city.  Traffic congestion in Eldoret City’s Central Business District (CBD) poses enormous problems to mobility, economic output, and urban safety. In this study, integrated security-based approaches were analyzed based on Systems Theory, Urban Mobility and Trip Generation Theory, and Triple Convergence Theory to evaluate the impacts. A descriptive research was applied to a sample size of 80 respondent’s which include those CBD commuters, traffic police and county officials, out of which 75 responses received (93.75% response rate). Data was collected by questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics and described in frequency tables and percentages. Findings therefore showed that poor urban planning (40%), inadequate road capacity (26.7%), weak traffic enforcement (20%) and over-reliance on private vehicles (13.3%) are major causes of congestion consistent with Systems theory perception of transport systems. Effects include prolonged travel time (33.3%) air pollution (26.7%) economic losses 20% and safety risks 20% petty theft and delayed responses to emergencies confirm. The current traffic management methods, mainly road expansions, which were apparently worthless to 73.3 percentage points of respondents, confirmed Triple Convergence Theory’s insults at supply-side remedies drawing latent demand. A high level of support was evident for security-based interventions through increased surveillance (40%), restrictive enforcement (33.3%), intelligent transport systems (ITS) (20%), public awareness campaigns (6.7%), concurs with Systems Theory’s focus on adaptive systems. The study finds that congestion in CBD Eldoret is one of its systemic problems caused by structural, behavioral, and technical flaws. Current solutions are ineffective because of technology and coordination limitations that require merged intervention.