SITING OF VEHICLE TERMINALS IN CAPE COAST METROPOLITAN AREA: SAFETY ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

ABSTRACT

Cities and traffic have developed hand-in-hand since the earliest large human settlements. The level of urbanisation in the developing world indicates that more people live in cities than before. This blueprint has led to high unbearable levels of traffic congestion in cities, vehicle terminals, streets and thoroughfares. The main objective of the study was to examine issues and challenges with respect to the siting of vehicle terminals in the Cape Coast metropolis. The study employed a descriptive survey design to sample 196 respondents and road management institutions in the Cape Coast metropolis through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The main instruments used to collect data for the study were questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study revealed that passenger demands, availability of space, limited space in the Central Business District, demand from community members and availability of passengers were the main factors that contributed to siting of vehicle terminals in the Cape Coast Metropolis. In addition, it was found that stakeholders in the transport sector played key roles in managing vehicle terminals, even though respondents were not satisfied with their roles. The study recommends provision of proper and standard lorry terminals, regular inspection, decongestion of illegal terminals and collaboration among stakeholders as measures to deal with unplanned vehicle terminals in the Metropolis.