Road User satisfaction of the Ghana N1 Highway
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0
Background of the study
In today’s world of globalization, the provision of infrastructures of which highway network plays an important role, is essential to enhance the nation’s competitiveness and maintain an edge over its competitors. The development of automobile has changed the function of a road from facility provider mainly for commerce to a public utility serving all the mankind. The road users in Ghana have become more educated, better informed, more internalized and as Ghanaian economy become more and more knowledge based, their demand for high quality services expends with the increase in customers’ buying power. They need not only required a safe road but also a good service and properly maintained facilities during their stop by and rest.
Transportation facilities constitute one of the most valuable public assets and account for a major share of public sector expenditure worldwide (Oyesiku, 2002). These investments serve to build, operate, and preserve infrastructure that supports movements of people and goods by various modes. Efficient, economical, and safe transportation is critical to a society in meeting its goals toward economic progress, social welfare, and emergency preparedness. Given the everincreasing personal and commercial travel demands vis-à-vis limited resources, changes in public expectations, and extraordinary advances in technology, the task of providing transportation services becomes more critical than ever. The main goals for transportation professionals in the operation of a roadway are the efficient and safe movement of goods and people. According to Parker (2002) the Highway System is a vital backbone for transportation across the United States and essential for its economic well-being. It connects all the major cities and ports across both rural and urban America.
1
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INTRODUCTION
1.0
Background of the study
In today’s world of globalization, the provision of infrastructures of which highway network plays an important role, is essential to enhance the nation’s competitiveness and maintain an edge over its competitors. The development of automobile has changed the function of a road from facility provider mainly for commerce to a public utility serving all the mankind. The road users in Ghana have become more educated, better informed, more internalized and as Ghanaian economy become more and more knowledge based, their demand for high quality services expends with the increase in customers’ buying power. They need not only required a safe road but also a good service and properly maintained facilities during their stop by and rest.
Transportation facilities constitute one of the most valuable public assets and account for a major share of public sector expenditure worldwide (Oyesiku, 2002). These investments serve to build, operate, and preserve infrastructure that supports movements of people and goods by various modes. Efficient, economical, and safe transportation is critical to a society in meeting its goals toward economic progress, social welfare, and emergency preparedness. Given the everincreasing personal and commercial travel demands vis-à-vis limited resources, changes in public expectations, and extraordinary advances in technology, the task of providing transportation services becomes more critical than ever. The main goals for transportation professionals in the operation of a roadway are the efficient and safe movement of goods and people. According to Parker (2002) the Highway System is a vital backbone for transportation across the United States and essential for its economic well-being. It connects all the major cities and ports across both rural and urban America.
1
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