Mapping and Modeling of Frequency and Location of Road Accident along Onitsha – Awka ExpresswayAnambra State Nigeria Using GIS Techniques

Ejikeme, J.O., , Emengini, E.J., , Ekebuike, Njoku

A Road traffic accident is one of the major disasters that cause untold hardship to both the citizens and government at large. Onitsha- Awka express road is a very busy road supporting equally very high economic activities. It is known to have recorded the highest number of ghastly road mishaps. Road Traffic Crash (RTC) data obtained from the policy, research and statistics department of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Amawbia headquarter revealed that from 2010 to 2014, there has been a geometric increase in the rate of traffic crash. Recently, a road accident which killed about four people in a family of six including the parents occurred along Ikenga junction Awka-Onitsha expressway. The junction is notorious for incessant road accidents. This study seeks to map and model accident victims and their locations along Onitsha-Awka expressway using Geographic Information System (GIS). RTC data for a period of 2010 to 2014 was collected from the FRSC and used to create the database. Locations of accident hotspots, police stations, Fire service station, market and other facilities which may contribute to occurrence or prevention of road accidents along the study area were obtained using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). The result of the study shows that 2013 has the highest number of road accidents while the month of December recorded the highest number of road accidents. The study recommends that more hospitals should be located especially at Onitsha Head Bridge that has the highest number of accident occurrence.