MANAGING ROAD TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE CAPE COAST METROPOLIS, GHANA

ABSTRACT The backbone of urban activities is the urban transportation network. The transportation network of an urban area is usually designed to accommodate the transportation activities of urban people. With growing population and diversified land-use activities, transportation system needs to be updated or readjusted. Any lag between growing transportation demand and network capacity results in traffic congestion thereby causing economic, social and financial loss and environmental degradation. The main objective of the study was to explore strategies designed to manage road traffic congestion in the Cape Coast metropolis. The study employed a descriptive survey design to sample 112 drivers and four road management institutions in the Cape Coast metropolis through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and in-depth interview guides constituted the main instruments for data collection. The study found that inadequate parking space, bad attitude of drivers, many vehicles on the road, limited parking spaces and poor road designs were the main causes of traffic congestion. It was also revealed that traffic congestion constituted a major challenge to drivers and road management institutions. The study recommends public education, strict enforcement of road traffic regulations, construction of more roads, and provision of adequate parking spaces to help minimise traffic congestion in the Cape Coast Metropolis.