OPTIMIZING CARRYING CAPACITY PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: A SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CAR PARKS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, MAIN CAMPUS.

Sunday Olayinka; Victor OMONIYEGHA; Franca Agamah

Sunday Olayinka Department of Geography, University of Lagos
Victor OMONIYEGHA Department of Geography, University of Lagos
Franca Agamah Urban and Regional Planning, Yaba College of Technology

Keywords: Parking Infrastructure, carrying capacity, intelligent transport systems (ITS), urban transport planning, smart parking solutions

Abstract

Effective parking infrastructure is a critical component of urban transportation systems, especially in land-use-intensive environments such as university campuses. This study assesses the spatial distribution and carrying capacity of car parks at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, in light of increasing vehicular traffic and inadequate parking supply. Using a mixed-method approach, the research integrates geospatial data acquired from aerial imagery, GPS field surveys, and user questionnaires with secondary sources to evaluate parking demand, facility management, and policy frameworks. A total of 70 parking sites with an aggregate capacity of 2,313 vehicles were identified, revealing substantial deficits in supply relative to demand. Key challenges include the absence of centralized management, poor policy enforcement, and a lack of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to streamline usage. Recommendations include implementing a digital parking guidance application, revising spatial allocation standards, and introducing dynamic pricing schemes to optimize utilization. These findings underscore the need for integrated parking strategies that align with smart city goals and sustainable mobility frameworks on university campuses.