Evaluation of Technical Innovations in Bus Rapid Transit System in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Lagos state is one of the largest cities in the world with an estimated population of 18,000,000 on a land mass of 3,577 sqkm. Urban mobility, Road traffic and congestion have been major challenges in the State for many years; The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme was introduced to help alleviate these problems. In the light of this, the technical innovation in the operation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Lagos State was evaluated and the outcome of the evaluation was compared with international BRT standards. Data was collected through guided oral interview with the use of questionnaire. Also, secondary data was used. Results showed that the introduction of BRT system in Lagos State is still at its pilot phase of operation but gradually advancing to BRT Classic which is the full operational BRT System of international standard. Presently, existing BRT innovation in Lagos includes BRT terminals and stations, dedicated lanes and bilateral stations, on-going median stations, provision of coloured delineators and colorized pavement on intersections as well as creation of space for BRT depots and terminals. The paper concluded that there is need for further improvement on the existing Lagos State BRT standard so that it will be able to compare well with International BRT standards.