ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
AZOJETE December 2019. Vol. 15(4):1026-1037
Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818
www.azojete.com.ng
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
WEB-BASED ADVANCED TRAVELLER INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MINNA
METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
O. O. Adeleke1*, S. Idoko2, S. S. Kolo2, A. R. Anwar3, O. O. Sijuwola1 and O. Akinola1
(1Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
2Department
of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
3Department
of Civil Engineering, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria)
* Corresponding author’s email address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
ARTICLE INFORMATION
Submitted 31 January, 2019
Revised
15 June, 2019
Accepted 20 June, 2019
Keywords:
ATIS
Route guidance
Electronic fare payment
Weather condition
Traffic condition.
ABSTRACT
Advanced Traveller Information System (ATIS) is used to provide
accurate, integrated and comprehensive travel and traffic information
to road users. The information helps in both pre-trip and en-route
decision making. This study developed a web-based ATIS for Minna
metropolis in Nigeria. The information provided is from both primary
and secondary sources. The developed ATIS provides information on
route guidance, available intercity transport services and hotels in the
metropolis. It also allows users to determine both weather and traffic
flow conditions. A component of the system makes provision for
electronic fare payment and booking of trips and hotel
accommodation. The deployment of the ATIS is a source of static and
dynamic information.
© 2019 Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. All rights reserved.
1.0
Introduction
The dearth of detailed and explicit information on transportation routes and systems which are
necessary to adequately prepare for any trip has almost all the times caused unnecessary delays,
anxiety, added costs and even at times jeopardized the safety of travellers especially when using
the transportation route or system for the very first time. The development and deployment of
Advanced Traveller Information System (ATIS) which is a category of Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS) is used in contemporary societies to address this issue (Adeleke et al., 2013, Zhanga
et al., 2011).
ATIS refers to any system that acquires, analyses and presents information to assist surface
transportation travellers in moving from a starting location (origin) to their desired destination
(Adeleke et al., 2013). An ATIS may operate using information supplied entirely within the
vehicle (autonomous system) or it can use data supplied by traffic management systems.
Information such as location of incidents, weather and road conditions, optimal routes,
recommended speed, lane restrictions are among those provided by the ATIS which help users
in decision making (Kristof et. al., 2005; Zhanga et. al., 2011). This information is collected and
disseminated using computer devices and telecommunication (US Department of
Transportation (DOT), 1998a).
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, December, 2019; Vol. 15(4) 1026-1037. ISSN 15962490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng
A review of existing ATIS deployments in some locations across the world include, The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) 511 ATIS which is widely recognized as one of
the leading ATIS in the United States. It is a one-stop, multimodal and trip planning regional
traveller information resource. MTC’s 511 ATIS incorporates traveller information gathered from
numerous sources, including the state Department of Transportation (DOT), regional transit
agencies, local transportation agencies, toll tag transponders and a private data provider. The
Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) operates an ATIS website which contains traffic
conditions map, a camera or dynamic message signs (DMS) image, detailed text on high-priority
events or incidents, weather forecast and links to other travel-related information and maps of
other areas of the State. Traffic conditions information can be shown graphically on the map or
in text format while travel times can only be shown in text format. Other ATIS sites which
include London ATIS, Taipei City ATI System, Munich ATIS also contain information on the
various modes of travel which include Underground Rail, Over-ground Rail, Buses, Automobiles,
Bicycles, Pedestrians, Airplanes, River, Tram, Taxis and Minicabs, and Light Railway System. Other
features on deployed ATIS include information on road networks, hospitals, government and
private offices, stadia, tourist places, real-time parking information, trip scheduling (Mid-Ohio
Regional Planning Commission, 2009; Supergeo Technology, 2016; Kumar et al., 2005; European
Commission, 2011; US DOT, 1998b; Minnesota DOT, 2003).
ATIS has been found to be of immense advantage in the transportation industry. The aim of the
study therefore was to develop and deploy a Web-based Advanced Traveller Information
System for Minna, Nigeria, a typical growing city in a developing economy in order to address
the dearth of detailed travel information needed to facilitate the movement of travellers to,
within and from the metropolis. The study had the specific objectives of improving travellers’
convenience and safety through the provision of needed travel and traffic condition information.
2.
2.1
Materials and Methods
Data collection
Primary and secondary data (Hox and Boeije, 2005) were used in the study. Primary data was
collected from two sampled public transportation companies that provide inter-city transport
services and which in this study were identified simply as Transport Services A and Transport
Services B. The transportation companies are among those that provide regular inter-city
services in Minna and are most widely used by travellers in the metropolis. They also have
service networks that cover a sizeable number of states in Nigeria. A data acquisition form was
given to the transportation companies to fill. Information obtained from the companies
included: Name of transportation company; Addresses of parks in and outside Minna; Routes
plied; Transport fares; Scheduled departure times and Company’s transaction policy. Primary
data were also collected on four sampled hotels in the city. Traffic surveys were carried out to
determine the peak and off-peak periods at Kpakungu and Mobil intersections which were
considered critical to the study as they are located in the Central Business Districts of the
metropolis with high traffic density. The information on the traffic condition was based on the
traffic surveys data.
The secondary data used were: 1. additional information obtained from the websites of i. the
sampled public transportation companies (the information included transport routes, travel
times and fares) ii. hotels (information obtained included room types and fares); 2. route maps,
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Adeleke et al: Web-based advanced traveller information system for Minna Metropolis, Nigeria. AZOJETE, 15(4):10261037. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng
travel times and positional information as available on the Google map and 3. weather
condition (temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, atmospheric condition) as provided through
the Open Weather Map.
2.2
Programming languages used for the website design
Programming languages and syntaxes used for the website design include: (i) Hyper Text Mark
Up Language (HTML5), (ii) Cascading Style Sheet (CSS3), (iii) Structural Query Language (MySQL),
(iv) Java Script, (v) PHP-Hyper Processor and (vi) AJAX (Asynchronous Java Script And XML). The
utilization of the programming languages gave flexibility in the process of the design. The
Database Schema is shown in Figure 1 while Figure 2 shows the Flow chart.
Figure 1: Database Schema
2.3
System Architecture
2.4
Application programming interface
The system architecture is shown in Figure 3. The traveller interacts with the system using a
mobile application or a computer which connects to the Google Map and Weather Map APIs.
The payment and booking modules allow the traveller to obtain information on transportation
fare and hotel costs and to also make bookings and payments.
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols and tools for building
software application. It is an already existing programme which is structured in such a way that
would allow other programmers who may find it useful to easily engraft it into the application
software or programme being designed (Conrad et al., 2015). The APIs used in the study include:
Google Maps: The Google Maps API is used as the base for everything related to location and
route maps on the website. It finds both the users’ instant location or queried location and also
displays the maps and travel times of the respective routes as route guidance.
Open Weather Map: The Open Weather Map API serves the purpose of weather detection and
prediction. It states the weather condition in relation to elements such as temperature, wind
speed, cloud cover and atmospheric humidity.
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, December, 2019; Vol. 15(4) 1026-1037. ISSN 15962490; e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng
Start
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
No
Location
known?
Yes
Input Location
Process distance &
travel time
Obtain distance
& travel time
Input Departure
time
Check Traffic
Situation
Obtain Traffic
Report
Suitable?
No
Yes
No
Book
Transp?
Yes
Obtain fare
Booking
Successful
No
Yes
Print receipt
P5
Figure 2: Flow chart
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Adeleke et al: Web-based advanced traveller information system for Minna Metropolis, Nigeria. AZOJETE, 15(4):10261037. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng
P5
No
Book Hotel?
Yes
Obtain Hotel
information
Booking
Successful?
No
Yes
Print receipt
Stop
Figure 2 cont’d: Flow Chart
Payment/Booking
Platform
Google map
&
Weather APIs
ATIS Server
ATIS Website
DB
Internet
Access Point
Traveller Interface
Updates
Traveller Input
Traveller
Figure 3: System architecture
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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3.
Results and Discussion
Homepage
The homepage of the developed website is shown in Figure 4.
Route guidance
This functionality provides users adequate route guidance from the point of origin to Minna and
further to any of the two campuses of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (Bosso and
Gidan-Kwano Campuses). The site is designed to help give drive directions to users who have
knowledge of their startup locations and those that cannot identify their startup locations. If
startup location is known, simply enter the name of the location in the space provided to
answer the question “where are you coming from?". The name of the place entered can either
be that of the state, local government, town or district. After entering the name, click on ‘Get
Information’. The ‘Get Information’ button leads to a new page that displays a map with the
drive directions to Minna.
To get drive directions to any of the campuses of the Federal University of Technology simply
select the campus of interest from the upper right hand corner of the map area. The outcome is
the route map depicted in Figure 5. Attached to each of the routes shown on the map is a text
box that shows the distance between the entered startup location and the destination. The
expected time of travel is also displayed.
Figure 4: Screen print of website homepage
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Distances and estimated
times of travel between
Ilorin and F.U.T. Minna,
Gidan-Kwano campus
using two alternative
routes
Figure 5: Screen print of drive directions from Ilorin to F.U.T Minna Bosso Campus
(Source: Google Map)
The option of ‘finding your location’ is included to make provision for a user who either does
not know or is not sure of his current location; this facility is however operational if the internet
browser has a GPS facility installed. A user simply finds his location by clicking on ‘find me’ in
the homepage. This leads to a page showing both the name and the map of the user’s current
location.
Trip booking
This site provides users the platform through which booking can be made for a public
transportation from any point of location through electronic means instead of going to the
booking office of the transportation company. Click on ‘Transport’ to book a transport service.
This leads to a page where it is required to select the name of the startup point (State) from the
drop down menu as shown in Figure 6. After selecting the state, click on ‘search’. This leads to
the page shown in Figure 7 which displays a list of all the transport companies in the database
that go to Minna from the selected state, the addresses of their parks, and the transportation
fare.
Figure 6: Screen print of ‘Transport’ option
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Figure 7: Screen print on a transport company that plies Enugu to Minna
If none of the transport companies included in the database goes to Minna from the selected
‘startup point’ it displays “No transport service available from this location”. Click on “book now”
to book the desired option. Enter your name, phone number, next of kin phone number,
date of trip. After the details, click on “proceed”, Select Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card
type and enter the ATM details and click “pay”. This leads to a page where payment receipt will
be displayed on the screen and payment receipt number will be sent as SMS to the phone
number provided. Click on ‘Print’ to print the receipt. Trips can also be rescheduled.
Verification of weather condition
The weather functionality provides information on the expected weather condition of the day in
Minna. The weather parameters provided include: i. Temperature in degree Celsius ii. Humidity
in percentage iii. Wind speed in Mph iv. Time of sunrise and v. Time of sunset. A screen shot for
the weather condition is shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Screen print of a day’s weather reading in Minna
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Hotel booking
Click on the “book a hotel” option to book a hotel. This leads to a page where the list of
available hotels is displayed as shown in Figure 9.
Click on the name of the hotel of choice for further details and take other needed steps to book.
Details to be entered by user include: Name, Check in and checkout dates, Phone number and
the Number of adults.
Figure 9: Screen print of ‘book a hotel’ page showing available hotels
After entering the details, the user clicks on ‘proceed’ which leads to a new page where
payment is made through electronic means online using ATM details. The user will be required
to select his card type, enter ATM details in the appropriate spaces provided, and then click on
“Pay”. If the payment is successful, the receipt of payment is displayed on the screen. The user
can then go ahead to print the receipt by clicking ‘print’ on the page. The receipt number is also
sent to the provided phone number as SMS. Provision is also made for rescheduling of the hotel
booking.
Traffic condition
The Website also presents to its users the traffic situation of Minna at the expected time of
arrival. The traffic information provided is however historic and not real-time. The traffic
information is available on only the two most prominent intersections in Minna (Kpakungu and
Mobil intersections).
The information on the traffic condition is obtained by clicking on ‘Traffic Information’ and the
result is displayed on the screen. Information displayed is on whether the roundabouts are
expected to be congested (peak period) or not congested (off-peak period) at the time of arrival
to Minna.
The ADMIN PANEL
The ‘Admin Panel’ is the section of the website that is reserved solely for the website
administrator. The website administrator is granted access to the database of the website and
can add or remove any information. Access to this portion of the website is restricted with a
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Username and a Password. The inventory of trip bookings is monitored by the administrator as
shown in Figure 10.
The activities that the administrator performs are:
View and/or print the list of hotel bookings done from the website alongside all the details of
the bookings.
View and/or print out the list of trip bookings done from the website alongside all the details of
the bookings.
Add or remove a transportation company from the list of transportation companies ditto for
hotels.
Figure 10: Webpage screen print of Trip Bookings from the Admin Panel
4. Flexibility and Limitation of the System
1.
Information on route guidance (travel route map and travel time) between any two
locations (other than Ilorin and Minna) can be obtained from the system’s website as presently
designed by entering the appropriate locations information in the ‘where are you coming from’
box (the trip origin box) and the destination in the trip ‘destination’ box. Similar enquiries and
operations as done for Minna can also be carried out for other cities by providing information
on hotels, transportation services, traffic flow situations on the cities in the database of the
developed ATIS.
2.
Re-routing that may be necessary as a result of unanticipated incidents en-route, such as
traffic accidents, work zone is handled by the system. If a traveller is aware that a route has
become impassable the user seeks for alternatives from a location before the incident scene or
at the incident scene as the case may be, to the desired destination through the systems route
guidance module. The traveller enters the location where he gets stuck as his new trip origin,
then possible routes from this location to his destination will be displayed.
3.
The traffic data as presently displayed on the website is static, however, in future; realtime traffic condition information can be incorporated into the developed system. This can be
obtained by providing a link in the website to a Traffic Management Centre that broadcasts
real-time traffic information to the public or registered users.
Corresponding author’s e-mail address: adeleke.oo@unilorin.edu.ng
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Adeleke et al: Web-based advanced traveller information system for Minna Metropolis, Nigeria. AZOJETE, 15(4):10261037. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng
4.
The database in the study is limited and would need more funding to capture more
traveller’s needed information and services.
5. Conclusion
A Website for Advanced Traveller Information System (ATIS) has been developed in the study.
The website provides route guidance for travellers to Minna Township. The website also
provides static information on traffic condition at the two most prominent intersections in the
town to the traveller based on the expected arrival time to Minna. Other information and
services on the website include weather information on Minna, available transportation services
from major cities in Nigeria to Minna. Trip and hotel bookings can also be carried out in the
comfort of one’s room or from wherever using ATM details directly on the website. The website
deployment improved on travellers’ convenience, safety and economy. The database should be
enlarged with more funding to capture more traveller’s needed information and services. The
historic traffic condition data can also be improved on with real-time data as this will improve
on the timeliness and accuracy of information provided. Other means of relating traveller
information other than the developed internet website; such as Variable Message Sign (VMS),
Highway Advisory Radio (HAR), Interactive Television, Teletext, Cable Television should be
explored and used to relay traveller information for the study area thereby increasing the
information outlet options available to road users.
Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge the contributions of Mr. O. T. Adeleke in the production of some of
the Figures.
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