Faculty of Engineering

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Browsing Faculty of Engineering by Subject "Accidents"

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    Analyzing the factors that affect the quality of staircases: a case study of universities in the central region, Uganda
    (Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2023-10) khabusi, Mukhwana Benjamin
    Staircases are the most common means of vertical access in low and medium rise storeyed buildings in Uganda. Their purpose is to provide safe means of movement from floor to floor. Reduction of accidents would be one of the functional requirements of stairs which is part and parcel of safety. However, the high accident rates are an indication of poorly designed and constructed stairs. With such problems on staircases, this study sought to investigate the factors that affect their quality in storeyed buildings in Ugandan universities specifically in the central region in a bid to minimize the occurrence accidents. Four kinds of surveys including observational, design and construction, technical and staircase user surveys were conducted in the study. The observational survey done using a check list revealed that the key features for quality vertitical access were; tactile ground indicators, balustrades, handrails, risers, treads, stair flights, newel posts, nosings, landings and presence of ramps in buildings. The design and construction survey which was done using self-admistered questionnaires involving 22 respondents revealed that the major factors that affect the quality of staircases were: design proficiency, construction competences, design review and other project factors. The technical survey conducted using a technical tool revealed that 66% of the stairs did not conform to the design and construction requirements due to riser heights, tread depths, slope relationship (2Rise + Going), stair slopes, handrail heights, handrail extensions and depth of nosing contrasts not conforming to the standards. The staircase user survey carried out using self-admistered questionnaires involving 212 respondents revealed that 26.3% of the users were injured while using the staircases due to missed steps, slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting in the stairwell, unevenness in the risers and treads and broken edges of steps. It was therefore concluded that to minimize the occurrence of accidents on staircases, proper design, construction and supervision need to be done in accordance with the standards short of which will lead to accidents. Key words: Staircase, quality, accidents, design, construction, supervision, user
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    Investigation of the impact of ancillary roadworks on road safety in Uganda : a case of Kampala – Jinja road
    (Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2025-08) Ssebuliba, Isaac
    The 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic put in place a unified approach to promote road safety and development of international road traffic. This coupled with the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Agenda 2030, African Union Agenda 2063, have had a great impact on ensuring safety on the world’s roads. However, road safety for Low Developed Countries like Uganda is still a challenge, despite the adoption of the country’s Vision 2040 and the launching of the National Road Safety Action Plan (2021-2026). A study to investigate the impact of ancillary roadworks on road safety in Uganda, a case of Kampala – Jinja road was conducted, with an aim of establishing a relationship between Road Signs, Road Marking, Guard Rails, Humped and Rumble Strips, Road Lights, Walkways and Service lanes with Road Safety. This study therefore used correlation research design supported by cross sectional survey design with qualitative and quantitative approaches for interviews and questionnaires respectively. Primary data were collected from 30 field traffic officers, 19 drivers, 03 Officers in Charge (OC) traffic police stations, 36 road engineers, 01 Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV), 01 Regional Traffic Officer (RTO) and 12 market leaders, all within the study area, whereas secondary data were extracted from accident data from Uganda Police. Questionnaire data were analysed with SPSS version 24.0. The interview data was analysed using content analysis. Results indicated that 61% of installed informatory signs, 53% of the installed regulatory signs and 40% of installed warning signs still existed on the road and others were missing which exposes road users to risk of accidents. Guardrails were still existing but some had rusted and others covered with grown grass, making them not visible to road users. Majority of road accidents were serious, accounting for 159 (47.8%) cases, followed by 130 fatalities (39.2%) and 43 (13.0%) minor accidents for the period from 2017 to 2022. A relationship between the independent variables and dependent variable, (βeta) of the study was made. Results of correlation analysis indicated that all ancillary road works were significant except road signs, yet regression results indicated that road marking (βeta = 0.207, p-value = 0.029), guardrails (βeta = 0.186, p-value = 0.045) and humps and rumbles strips (βeta = 0.260, p-value = 0.028) have a positive significant effect on the road safety unlike road lights, road signs, walkways and service lanes which were insignificant. Field inspections together with traffic police officers within the study area, identified 14 blackspots with high annual frequency of accident occurrence in the section between Lugazi and Kitigoma village. It is concluded that road marking, guardrails and humps and rumbles strips significantly affect road safety. The study recommended that construction of humps and rumble strips of moderate size, visible road marking with higher retro reflectivity and strong guardrails, can help in ensuring road safety with support of enforcementof traffic laws of Uganda.