Evaluating Intra-Urban Transportation and Gender Travel Behaviour in Ilorin, Nigeria
The condition of intra-urban transport system in Nigerian cities is becoming worrisome by the day. Although the situation affects male and female, previous empirical and theoretical discussions most of the time assumed the universality of gender‟s experience. Transportation Planning and Engineering have been gender neutral. It is against this background that the study evaluates condition of intra-urban transport and gender travel behaviourin Nigeria using Ilorin as case study. The study uses primary data, which were obtained through a random and systematic sampling of 500 households in Ilorin, Nigeria. Variables used for this study include indicators of urban transport infrastructure conditions and intra-urban travel patterns. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of cross tabulation and chi- square statistics. The results showed inadequate and poorly maintained transport infrastructural facilities; accidents; waiting for long periods at the bus stops; traffic congestion and the related parking problems. It was also revealed in the study that man and woman are not equal urban space users and actors, in relation to kind of trips made and complexity of trip making. The study recommends among others the need to develop transportation planning models that capture gender differences in trip purpose, frequency and distance travel, mode of transportation used and complexity of trip making. Improving safety on the street isvery crucial. Routes should connect homes with other activity centers. The study concludes by reiterating the need to boost the current state of transport infrastructure in the study area.
