Intermodal Transportation System in an Evolving Economy

Abstract

In spite of the fact that Nigeria is variously endowed with natural resources for multi–modal transport system operation, majority of the people use pre dominantly only one mode of transport (road) in situations where integration of the different modes will bring flexibility, safety (of persons, infrastructure, goods and environment), efficiency, effectiveness and conducive economic competition. The inability to fully and reasonably integrate the various modes of transport does also brought increase in mobility problems, such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, preventable accidents, and untimely damage to roads, criminal inclination, incessantly increase in operational cost. This paper discusses the necessity and importance of integrated transport system in an inter – modal (multi modal) arrangement which primarily involves road, rail, air and sea (inland waterway). An intermodal co-ordination which focuses mainly on public transport system based on public/private participation will also be discussed within the purview and space of this paper. Methodology employed in the study involve primary and secondary data, primary data in form of personal interviews conducted and observation while secondary data are deduced from previous publications like academic journals, research papers, newspapers, public/private agencies and others.