Mobile Device-based Cargo Gridlocks Management Framework for Urban Areas in Nigeria

A number of recommendations for the adoption of ICTs in tackling traffic congestion problems in developing countries have been made in studies. Such studies have rather focused on assessing and evaluating the causes and effects of gridlocks than proffering solutions. The absence of implementable ICT models that can be effectively deployed to salvage the gridlocks, especially those generated by cargo transporters has added to the movement difficulty in these countries. This paper formulates a mobile device-based model supported by web technologies, called MobileCGM that can help avoid incidences of gridlocks emanating from Tin Can Island and Apapa sea ports in Lagos, Nigeria. This novel approach will allow timely pick-ups and deliveries of freights in the area by utilizing the deep penetration of GSM and mobile network services in Nigeria to solve the local problem. The model design and specification of the framework was achieved using the Unified Modelling Language (UML). The implementation of this model will render it needless for trucks and transporters to hang around the vicinity of where their cargos will be dropped off or picked up or cluster on the roads, as both cargo owners and transporters will know in advance when to pick up or deliver their cargo and get there just in time.