Effects of Traffic Congestion on Air Quality in Abuja City, 2022-2026

This study examined the effects of traffic congestion on air quality in Abuja city between 2022 and 2026. The rapid urban growth of Abuja has led to increased vehicular movement, resulting in persistent traffic congestion across major urban corridors. This situation has raised concerns about its environmental implications, particularly the deterioration of air quality. The study adopted a correlational survey research design, with a population of 2,500,000 residents and a sample size of 400 respondents selected through multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and direct air quality measurements obtained using the Aeroqual Series 500 Air Quality Monitor, which measured pollutants such as PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to analyze the research questions, while multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that traffic congestion is a widespread problem in Abuja, driven by factors such as high traffic volume, prolonged idling time, and increased private vehicle usage. The regression results showed a strong and significant relationship between traffic congestion variables and air quality deterioration, with traffic-related factors accounting for a substantial proportion of variation in air quality. Specifically, traffic volume emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by idling time and congestion duration. The study concluded that traffic congestion significantly contributes to declining air quality in Abuja, posing serious environmental and public health risks. It recommended the development of efficient public transportation systems and the enforcement of stricter emission control policies to mitigate the impact.