ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
Every country establishes Right of Way (ROW) legislation to protect linear infrastructure like railways, pipelines, and roads, ensuring smooth operation and shielding residents from harmful externalities. Rapid urban encroachment into roads and highways for residential and commercial use is a significant concern in developing nations like Nigeria. Due to linear settlement patterns, residents often overlook traffic-related issues such as emissions, noise, accidents, and congestion, which impact health, safety, and the environment. This study used Scopus-extracted journals for a bibliometric analysis to assess high-impact research on road encroachment, its causes, and implications due to land use patterns. Using VOSviewer and Scopus analytics, it examined keyword co-occurrence, international co-authorship, and publishing trends. Notably, few studies from developing nations addressed land-use-induced road encroachment, whereas developed-country research focused on transportation safety metrics like Post Encroachment Time (PET) in crash analysis. Findings indicate that land use-induced encroachment significantly disrupts traffic flow, safety, and roadside residents' well-being. The study underscores the urgent need for research in developing nations to tackle ROW encroachment and mitigate its adverse effects on health and the environment.
Adesola, B. A., Adewuyi, K. G., & Oyekola, A. M. (2019). Road Condition Monitoring of Major and Minor Routes in Part of Ibadan Metropolis Using Geospatial Approach. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, 4(22), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.9734/jgeesi/2019/v22i430156
Aguda, A.S., Farinde, T. A., Adegboyega, S. A., & Olawole, M. O. (2013). Spatio-temporal assessment of urban growth of medium-size and nodal towns for sustainable management: using GIS. An International Journal Emerald, January 2015, 94–106.
Agung, A., Dewi, D. P., Taniguchi, H., & Sanjaya, P. A. (2020). Promoting efficient and effective road infrastructure procurement. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 419(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/419/1/012099
Ajayi, S. A., Adams, C. A., Dumedah, G., Adebanji, O. A., Ababio-Donkor, A., Ackaah, W., and Kehinde, A. (2023). Public perceptions of vehicular traffic emissions on health risk in Lagos metropolis Nigeria: A critical survey. Heliyon, 9(5), e15712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15712
Ali, N., Javid, M. A., Hussain, S. A., & Rahim, A. (2021). Understanding traffic congestion from stakeholders' perceptions in the central area of Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Applied Engineering Science, 19(1), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.5937/jaes0-27534
Badmos, O. S., Rienow, A., Callo-Concha, D., Greve, K., & Jürgens, C. (2018). Urban development in West Africa-monitoring and intensity analysis of slum growth in Lagos: Linking pattern and process. Remote Sensing, 10(7), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10071044
Boogaard, H., Patton, A. P., Atkinson, R. W., Brook, J. R., Chang, H. H., Crouse, D. L., … Forastiere, F. (2022). Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and selected health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environment International, 164(April), 107262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107262
Caputcu, M., Sengoz, B., Ozuysal, M., Tanyel, S., Kaplan, S., & Karabayir, A. (2016). Use of laser measurements and video images to investigate pedestrian movement along non-uniform sidewalks. World Congress on Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.11159/icte16.105
Chandra, S. (2003). Effect of roadside obstruction on speed and placement of vehicles on two-lane roads. Proceedings - Conference of the Australian Road Research Board, 21(1971), 1177–1190.
Chauhan, G. S., Varshney, P., & Saraswat, A. (2017). Reducing Encroachment Problems on Roads to Reduce Traffic Congestion instead of Widening the Road. International Journal on Emerging Technologies (Special Issue-ICTOAD, 8(1), 25–29. https://www.researchtrend.net/ijet/pdf/5 Final Paper_Gaurav Singh.pdf
Domaga?a, J., & Kad?ubek, M. (2023). Economic, Energy and Environmental Efficiency of Road Freight Transportation Sector in the EU. Energies, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010461
El-maissi, A. M., Argyroudis, S. A., & Nazri, F. M. (2021). Seismic vulnerability assessment methodologies for roadway assets and networks: A state-of-the-art review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010061
Iwuoha, V. C. (2020). Cattle droppings litter our city roads: Herders’ encroachments, risk factors and roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals. African and Asian Studies, 19(4), 336–362. https://doi.org/10.1163/15692108-12341462
Johnson, C., Jones, D., Matthews, T., & Burke, M. (2022). Advancing avian road ecology research through a systematic review. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 109(June), 103375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2022.103375
Khan, F. M., Jawaid, M., Chotani, H., & Luby, S. (1999). Pedestrian environment and behaviour in Karachi, Pakistan. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 31(4), 335–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(98)00075-X
Kinyanjui, M. N. (2013). Women informal garment traders in Taveta Road, Nairobi: From the margins to the centre. African Studies Review, 56(3), 147–164. https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2013.83
Kuncoro, E., Wurarah, R. N., and Erari, I. E. (2024). The impact of road infrastructure development on ecosystems and communities. Social, Ecology, Economy for Sustainable Development Goals Journal, 1(2), 78–90. https://doi.org/10.61511/seesdgj.v1i2.2024.336
León, C. J., Hernández-Alemán, A., Fernández-Hernández, C., and Araña, J. E. (2023). Are rural residents willing to trade-off higher noise for lower air pollution? Evidence from revealed preferences. Ecological Economics, 207(July 2022), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107784
Mahmudul Hasan, M., Nawshad Hossain, S. M., & Ahmad, T. (2017). Impact of Ribbon Development on Land Use along Dhaka Aricha Highway. The Case of Savar Upazila. Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, 8(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.24193/jssp.2017.1.01
Mukherjee, D., & Mitra, S. (2020). Modelling risk factors for fatal pedestrian crashes in Kolkata, India. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 27(2), 197–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2020.1725894
Ogundahunsi, D. S., Adedotun, S. B., & Adejuwon, S. A. (2016). Safety awareness of roadside traders in Osogbo Township, Osun State, Nigeria. Urban Transport XXII, 164(Ut), 93–104. https://doi.org/10.2495/ut160091
Okafor, B. N. (2020). Environmental Implications of Non-Compliance with Road Setbacks Standards in the Awka Capital Territory Environmental Implications of Non-Compliance with Road Setbacks Standards in the Awka Capital Territory. International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 6(9), 33–38.
Rao, A. M., Velmurugan, S., & Lakshmi, K. M. V. N. (2017). Evaluation of Influence of Roadside Frictions on the Capacity of Roads in Delhi, India. Transportation Research Procedia, 25, 4771–4782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2017.05.489
Schulten, C., & Parnell, J. (2015). Development Around Freight Rail Corridors: Noise Assessment and Mitigation. Acoustics Australia, 43(3), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40857-015-0030-7
Sheuya, S. A. (2009). Urban poverty and housing transformations in informal settlements: The case of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. International Development Planning Review, 31(1), 81–108. https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.31.1.5
Shittu, A.O., Bello, H. L. (2022). Road Improvements and Economic Activities in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria, 16(1), 1–23.
Singh, H., & Punjab, J. (2018). Factors Affecting The Congestion & Encroachments On Urban Roads ( Case Study- Ludhiana City ). International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM), 04(08), 49–61.
Tran, A. H., Subhani, M. I., & Ushakov, D. (2020). Pakistan’s Urban Transport and Commute Problems (an Empirical Investigation). IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 918(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/918/1/012054
Ugochukwu, N. I., & Habert, T. (2018). Evaluation of the Potentials of High-Resolution Satellite Imagery in the Determination of Encroachment on Right-of-Way for FUTA Road in Akure, Nigeria. Nigeria. American Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 3(1), 1–9. http://www.aascit.org/journal/ajcee
Umair, M., Rana, I. A., & Lodhi, R. H. (2022). The impact of urban design and the built environment on road traffic crashes A case study of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 10(1), 417–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2022.01.002
Wu, S., & Li, B. V. (2022). Sustainable linear infrastructure route planning model to balance conservation and socioeconomic development. Biological Conservation, 266(January), 109449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109449
Wunude, E., Soneye, A., & Fasona, M. (2021). Assessment of Encroachments on 132kV High Voltage Transmission Line ( HVTL ) Right-of-Way ( RoW ) in Alimosho LGA, Lagos, 1983 - 2020. Journal of Geography, Planning and Environment, 1(1), 39–54.
Tijjani, A. O., Hassan, S. A., Muhammad, M. Z. S., Afzan, M. K., Lazi, M., & Farah, B. S. (2025). Bibliometric Analysis of Effects of Traffic Externalities on the Road Setbacks Squatters Wellbeing in Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(2), 1358–1374.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode