MODELLING RURAL MARKET FREIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

A proper understanding of the freight flow in terms of their production and distribution is crucial to spatial development and planning of an area. This study therefore, attempts to develop a model for estimating the distribution of rural freight generated in rural markets of South Western Nigeria. A questionnaire survey of commodities loaded and transported as well as rural freight operators in some rural market locations using systematic random sampling of 1 out of every 10 freight vehicles was carried out to determine their types, volume, origin and destinations of rural goods. Based on the data collected, a rural freight distribution model is developed using regression model. A logarithm method used for the data analyzed shows that out of three variables used, only two of them that is; the Cost of Transportation (CP) and Population of Destination of Goods (POP) are significant at 1% and 5% level respectively in explaining the variation in the rural freight distribution in the study area, while the Proximity of the Attracting State (PS) is not found to be significant. The three variables however accounted for 65% of the explanation of variation in the rural freight distribution in the South Western Nigeria. Based on these findings, it was recommended that deliberate policy measures should be put in place by the government to reduce the cost of rural goods transportation by improving rural road condition, enhancing rural market accessibility and rural goods operation.