Assessing Determinants of Transport Mode Preference and Climate Vulnerability inZaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.009Abstract
This study examines how socio-demographic factors influence transport mode preference andvulnerability to climate change impacts among transport operators, regulators, and commuters inZaria Metropolis, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 respondents sampledfrom a population of 1,335,703 using a purposive and convenience sampling approaches acrossselected neighbourhoods (9 wards) and 311 valid responses returned for analysis. Table, percentageand cross-tabulation were employed to examine relationships between socio-demographiccharacteristics (age, gender and income) and transport mode choice, while Chi-square tests wereused to determine statistical associations. Findings reveal significant relationships between age andtransport mode preference (χ² = 18.74, df = 6, p = 0.02), showing that younger respondents (18–30years) predominantly use tricycles and motorcycles, whereas higher age and income groups revealincreased preference for private cars. Income was also strongly associated with transport mode, withlow-income earners relying more on informal and cost-effective modes at (χ² = 21.13, df = 6, p =0.001). Furthermore, a significant association was found between gender and climate changevulnerability perception (χ² = 16.28, df = 2, p = 0.004), with females reporting higher perceivedvulnerability levels compared to males. The results reveal the importance of socio-economicdeterminants in shaping mobility behaviour and risk perception, emphasizing the need for inclusiveand income-sensitive urban transport policies in Zaria Metropolis. The study recommends policyinterventions should focus on inclusive planning, gender-sensitive transport strategies, andinfrastructure adaptation.
References
Abdullahi, A., Ababio-Donko, A. & Adams, C. (2022). Gender Disparities in the Access and Use of Urban Public Transport in Abuja, Nigeria. Sustainability, 14(9), 5219. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095219
Adelekan, I. O., & Haider, J. (2010). Flood Risk and Urban Adaptation in Nigerian Cities: Lessons for Resilience Planning. Climate Risk Management, 36, 100444.
Akter, T. & Alam, B. (2024). Travel Mode Choice Behaviour Analysis Using Multinational Logit Models Towards Creating Sustainable College Campus: A Case Study of the University of Toledo, Ohio. Advancements in Sustainable Transport, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389//ffutr.2024.1389614
Almeida, A. & Picado-Santos, L. (2021). Asphalt Road Pavements to Address Climate Change Challenges- An Overview. Sustainability, 13(24), 13689. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412515
Assan, N. & Moyo, M. (2025). Climate Change through a Gender Lens: Knowledge Gaps and Adaptive Capacities in Sub-Saharan Africa. IJRISS, https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.908000329
Beitelmal, W.H., Nwokolo, S. C., Meyer, E.L. & Ahia, C.C. (2024). Exploring Adaptation Strategies to Mitigate Climate Threats to Transportation Infrastructure in Nigeria: Lagos City, as a Case Study. Journals Climate, 12(8), https://doi.org/10. 3390/ cli12080117
Beirao, G. & Cabral, J. (2007). Understanding Attitudes Towards Public Transport and Private Car: A Qualitative Study. CEGI https://repositoria.inesctec.pt/handle/123456789/
Cao, C., Zhen, F. & Huang, X. (2022). How Does Perceived Neighbourhood Environment Affect Commuting Mode Choice and Commuting CO2 Emissions? An Empirical Study of Nanjing, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7649), https://doi.org/10.3390//ijerph19137649
Cervero, R. & Golub, A. (2007). Informal Transport: A Global Perspective. Transport Policy, 14(16), 445–457. Available at https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/trapol/v14y2007i6p445-457.html
Climate Change Academy (2024). Understanding Vulnerability to Climate Change: Key Concepts and Definitions. Available at https://careclimatechange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/CARE_Understanding_Vulnerability.pdf
Fasina, S. O., Salisu, U.O., Odufuwa, B.O. & Akanmu, A.A. (2020). Travel Behaviour and Mobility Challenges of Disabled Elderly in Selected Cities of Ogun State, Nigeria. LOGI- Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, 11(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.2478/logi-2020-0003
Gössling, S., Neger, C., Steiger, R., & Bell, R. (2023). Weather, climate change, and transport: a review. Natural Hazards, 118(2), 1341–1360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-06054-2
Hamza, U.G., Bwala, H.B. & Haruna, L.Z. (2026). Assessment of Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Travel Mode Choice in Tertiary Institutions in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria. British Journal of Education, 13(3), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.37745/bje2013/vol13n34356
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
Li, J., Lo, K., & Guo, M. (2018). Do Socio-Economic Characteristics Affect Travel Behaviour? A Comparative Study of Low-Carbon and Non-Low-Carbon Shopping Travel in Shenyang City, China. International Journal of Environmental Resources and Public Health, 15(7), 1346. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071346
Muhammed, A. Y. (2019). The Impact of Roadside Friction on the Flow of Vehicular Traffic in Kaduna State. A Doctoral Dissertation, Ahmadu Bello University Institutional Repository. https://kubanni.abu.edu.ng/items/bb6335d5-c365-4dbb-80de-fb22e573caef
Mwale, M., Pisa, N., & Luke, R. (2024). Travel Mode Choices of Residents in Developing Cities: A Case Study of Lusaka, Zambia. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management. ISSN (Online) 1995-5235 (Print) 2310–8789.
Ng, W. & Acker, A. (2018). Understanding Urban Travel Behaviour by Gender for Efficient and Equitable Transport Policies (ITF Discussion Paper No. 20110/01). OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/eaf64f94-en
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) (2025). The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socioeconomic Development. A Publication of MiNET.
Ogunsanya, A. A., & Galtima, M. (2019). Transport and Environmental Risk in Nigeria’s Urban Centres. Journal of Transport Geography, 78, 211–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.05.009
Onuoha, J., Eze, E., Ezeaputa, C. M. C., Okpabi, J. U., & Onyia, J. C. (2021). Does learning geography increase climate change awareness? A comparison of school subjects’ influence on climate change awareness. Journal of Geography, 120(4), 140–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2021.1949027
O’Hern, S. & Oxley, J. (2015). Understanding Travel Patterns to Support Safe Active Transport for Older Adults. Journal of Transport and Health, 2(1), 79–85. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7067784
Pojani, D., & Stead, D. (2015). Sustainable Urban Transport in the Developing World: Beyond Megacities. Sustainability, 7(6), 7764–7805. https://doi.org/10.10.16/j.jth.2014.09.016
Ranjan, R., & Sinha, S. (2025). A Systematic Review of Mode Choice Behaviour in Urban Transportation with Emphasis on Individual Preferences and Influencing Factors. Transportation in Developing Economics, 10(6), https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084222
Uchegbu, C., & Tight, M.R. (2021). Road User Attitudes and Their Reported Behaviours in Abuja, Nigeria. Sustainability, 13(8), 4222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40890-024-00186-2
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (2nd ed.). New York: Harper and Row.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdulkadir Yahaya Muhammed, Abubakar Yakubu, Aminu Abdulhadi Dabo, Abdullahi Sule Tanko, Haliru Sagir Musa (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.