Towards efficient management of public transportation in the city of Nairobi through application of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS

Abstract

Transport is crucial for sustainable development of any city. Today, cities in developing countries often devote a substantial proportion of the total expenditures to their transport systems. However, because of high motorisation rates, these cities are unable to cope with increasing demands for more road space. The city of Nairobi finds itself in a similar situation. In order for the city of Nairobi to cope with increasing travel demand by private and public transport users, new transport solutions need to be found. This calls for the adoption of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). The paper discusses the role that ITS can play in the proper management of public transportation in Nairobi. The limitations of the application of ITS in the management of urban traffic in the city are also examined. It is argued that the future of traffic management in Nairobi like in many other cities around the world has to be electronic. This is because the city is experiencing rapid population growth and urban sprawl. This rapid expansion has led to severe traffic congestion and other transport-related problems in the CBD.