Comparative analysis of traffic flow at signalized and unsignalized road junctions in Nakawa division : a case study of spear motors road junction and Nakawa market traffic lights.

Abstract

The researcher aimed at analysing traffic flow at signalized and unsignalized road junctions in Nakawa division, Nakawa market traffic lights and spear motors road junctions were selected as case studies because of poor traffic flow and management along Kampala-Jinja road. The researcher formulated objectives among which included: Examining of traffic behaviours at the signalized and the unsignalized road junctions, examining the relationship between the traffic flow and the road junctions, analysing the challenges of traffic flow at the road junctions and recommending the strategies of improving traffic flow at the road junctions. This guided the researcher to collect the relevant data. The researcher used the following data collection methods to obtain data; sampling, mapping, interviews, questionnaires, manual counting, measurements, observation and photography. This research summarised the traffic behaviours at signalised junctions as being guided by the traffic lights, the traffic flow is well organised and road users follow the signage, while at the unsignalized junction, traffic flow is disorganised, road users do not follow traffic rules hence too much jam, according to this, main causes of traffic jam at the road junctions are, narrowness of the turning radius of the road, potholes, commercial activities and inadequate parking. The research recommendations included, improvement and expansion of the roads and widening of the junctions, modifying existing infrastructures and building new ones, introduction of flyovers, parking management, introduction of cable car system in Kampala and encouraging non-motorized transport system (NMT).