Impact of climate variability on road transport in Warri Metropolis

This study examined the variability of climate on road transport in Warri metropolis. To achieve this, the study generated data from archival records from the meteorological agency and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Climate data was collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Warri and average cost of transportation from NURTW diary. The data were analysed using the Multiple Regression. From the study, rainfall in Warri and environs has increased over the years (1960–2010) by 199.85mm. Temperatures for the 30years (1960–2010) period were high with an increase of 1.38°C and a mean of 26.42°C. The highest and lowest mean annual temperature values of 32.83°C and 26.42°C in 2010 and 1974 respectively. Thus, if this warming continues there will be a risk of between 1.4°C and an urban warming of 4.18°C, indicating climate change. There is a significant relationship between transport cost and climate (rainfall, temperature and humidity) in Warri metropolis which is evident at F value of 37.397 which is greater than the critical table value of 4.07, which implied that the model is significant and thus, transport cost in Warri metropolis is significantly dependent on rainfall, relative humidity and temperature. It is anticipated that an increase in rainfall results to a corresponding increase in the cost of transport, it is therefore recommended that transportation plans and designs should, therefore, be carefully considered and well informed by a range of factors, including consideration of climate variability and change.