Geographical Information System (GIS) Based Analysis of Urban Trip Distribution Forecast of Bida Town

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the urban home trips distribution using Geographic information System (GIS) tool based on the mobility surveys conducted in Bida town in 2007. The pattern of trip distribution is a basic tool necessary for plan formation and implementation in the transportation system. The problem of transportation within a township can only be resolved when proper and effective information on the transportation is available. Bida township will contribute immensely to the scare knowledge if base available for transportation planning. A mobility survey was conducted with a structured questionnaire designed and administered at various defined destination; questionnaires were contained in trip count, (generation and attraction) at each zones. The town is divided into four zones: Zone 1 (include the institutional areas consist of Federal Polytechnic and College of Administration and Business Study, Zone 2 (include the Wadata/Local Government; the administrative area of Bida town), Zone 3 (Esso area; the outer commercial zone), and Zone 4 (the Federal Medical Centre/ School of Nursing area; the zone consist of public institutions). The trip production and the relative attractiveness for day (Monday and Friday; the peak hours period) in December, 2009 are generated. The inter-zonal travel times were calculated using the gravity model. The research revealed that landuse is a determinant factor in transportation distribution in urban centers. The analysis revealed that there exist a high level of attractiveness in Esso FMC/School of Nursing and Bida Poly/Cabs respectively, with Esso haven the highest level of attraction of 332.51 (50.34%) been a commercial landuses, followed by institution and public landuses.