CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Transportation is an important and necessary sector from which most people earn their living. It is essential for human survival and serves as a base for social and economic development of the society. People and goods move from one place to another by different modes such as air, rail, road, water, and space. Transportation serves as a conduit linking places, regions, and economy together thereby facilitating movement of people, goods, and services. Our mobility system is changing rapidly due to technological developments like artificial intelligence, big data, connectivity technologies (e.g. 5G) and blockchain but also due to changing preferences of travellers and companies getting used to digital services and demanding more and more ‘custom–fit’ mobility and transport services. There are a lot of new emerging mobility solutions, like connected and cooperative Automated Mobility (CCAM), Mobility as a service (MaaS) and Self-organising Logistics (SoL). These solutions are possible by and dependent on key technologies like data science, connectivity, and artificial intelligence. These new mobility solutions have the power to fundamentally change the transport sector. For example, concepts like CCAM and MaaS have the potential to realise a shift from vehicle ownership to vehicle use (reducing the number of vehicles), although the likeliness and size of this impact is still uncertain. And concepts like Self-organising logistics have the potential to increase transport efficiency and hence reduce movements. There will probably also be a further integration of the various transport modes.

In addition, technology as a tool to manage poor transportation network potentially impact the people of in Mezam Division as it is beneficial to the environmental (Greenhouse Gases emissions, air pollutant emissions), social (less congestion, higher traffic safety levels, better access to mobility for people without cars) and economic (opportunities for the vehicle and IT industry). However, potential unintended and rebound effects should be considered with respect to these beneficial impacts. For example, MaaS services may encourage additional transport movements, which may have adverse environmental and social impacts (Pangbourne, et al., 2020). The net impacts of these new solutions should therefore be carefully assessed, taking both the intended and unintended impacts into account.

In Mezam Division of Cameroon, there are still significant challenges to implement the new mobility solutions and underlying emerging technologies in a way that maximises the social and economic benefits for its people and at the same time minimises any disruptions (European Commission, 2019). Also, the current transport infrastructure requires adaptations to accommodate the full-scale implementation of the emerging technologies. The realisation of a well-functioning digital infrastructure meeting the requirements of the various relevant Smart Mobility applications and aligned with its specific context is key on improving the poor transport network in Mezam Division. The most common mode of transport in the Mezam Division is the road transport.

Road transportation transcends the history of humankind and has been the backbone of social and economic growth of nations from the dawn of ages (Papi et al, 2007). Over the years, urge to enhance the social and economic well-being of people generated interest and concern for improvement of road network globally, regionally, nationally and locally. This research is aimed at providing a global overview of how road network affects the well-being of humanity. Thereby contributes to literature and enhance perception of the influence of technology on transport system on quality of life. The research focuses on road network growth caused by advancement in technology, its socioeconomic achievement, and challenges facing the system.

Road facilitates travel either by motorized or non-motorized vehicles. In Africa, road has been on rapid expansion since the 1900‘s. As a result, road network has become a distinctive feature on the earth‘s surface. Its enormous contribution to societal welfare mandated most African countries to reserve 1% to 2% of their land surface for roads (M. Attane, P. Jose and Z. Aniceto, 2009). Recently, the tropical region experiences the highest rate of road expansion, due to great priority bestowed on road development in order to ensure progress in transport system through enhancing spatial connectivity, aiding travel, helping to establish land claims and facilitating resource extraction (E S. Ahmed, 2014). Expansion of road network over the globe goes concurrently with increase in service it renders. In this regard, Papi, and Hellman note that road transport carries the highest inland freight which kept on growing at 47% between 2001 and 2010. In industrialized countries, heavy vehicles account for 80% every inhabitant freight. Almost 44% of all freights delivered in European countries are by roads. Such significant role played by road in promoting social and economic well-being of the society makes it to attract special attention which in turn leads to its continuous expansion worldwide.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In Mezam Division of Cameroon which uses a majority of road transport, it is expected that both the overall emissions and the demand for energy in transport will continue to rise in the next decades unless appropriate policy measures are introduced. While fossil fuels will become scarce over the next decades, mobility is one of the basic needs of the people today and there is a reinforcing correlation between road signs and road construction and development on the one hand and mobility and accessibility on the other. There is a pressing need to improve the sustainability of transport in order to reduce its impact on climate change, better support economic growth, improve energy security and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Unsustainable transport can cause air pollution, noise, accidents, congestion and other negative side effects harming people and the environment. These effects are especially relevant in urban areas. Sustainability is therefore a major issue and its importance is only going to grow. The focus of this study is the impacts of technology on transportation network, but policy strategies are also needed to promote sustainability in transport at the regional levels. This will require improvement in technology, strong and skilled governments and institutions, together with reliable data to evaluate the impacts of measures taken.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 Main Question

What is the impact of technology as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division?

1.3.2 Specific Questions

What is the impact of road signs as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division?

What is the impact of road construction as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division?

1.4 Research Objective

1.4.1 Main Objective

To examine the impact of technology as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division.

1.4.2 Specific Objective

To examine the impact of road signs as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division.

 To examine the impact of road construction as a tool to manage the transportation network in Mezam Division.