Assessing Trends of Vehicle Ownership and Use Among Tertiary Students in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus, Ghana

Gyamfi, Ernest; Opoku, Oscar Agyemang · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.58631/injurity.v3i10.219

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates the trends, determinants, and impacts of vehicle ownership and usage among tertiary students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Motivated by the global rise in motorization and specific local challenges at KNUST—such as a growing student population, inadequate shuttle services, and infrastructure deficits—the research aims to provide data to inform campus policy and transportation planning. The study addresses a scarcity of empirical research on student vehicle ownership in developing nations, particularly Ghana. The researchers employed a descriptive survey design, utilizing purposive sampling to target students with knowledge of car ownership. Although the total student population was 64,187, the study collected data from a sample of 100 respondents via Google Forms. Data analysis relied on descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and visualizations created in Microsoft Excel. The survey covered demographic characteristics, trends in ownership, purposes of use, determinants of ownership, effects on daily activities, and challenges faced by vehicle owners. The findings reveal that 70% of vehicles on campus are owned by Ghanaian students, with foreign students comprising the minority. Ownership is primarily driven by students from wealthy homes (83% agreement) and those traveling long distances to avoid high public transport costs (90% agreement). Contrary to some assumptions, employment status was not a primary driver, as 60% of respondents disagreed that employed students are the main owners. Psychologically, student attitudes and social norms regarding status were identified as major determinants (60% agreement), alongside vehicle characteristics like cost and fuel efficiency (82% agreement). Regarding usage, 60% of students use vehicles for personal purposes rather than solely for academics, and 85% use them for fun and recreation. The study highlights significant negative behavioral impacts: 38% of respondents noted that vehicle ownership leads to arrogance, while 70% reported a reduction in physical activities like walking. Additionally, 56% acknowledged that student vehicle use contributes to global warming. The research concludes that vehicle ownership among KNUST students is largely motivated by prestige and convenience rather than academic necessity, often resulting in negative habits that may hinder academic performance. Major challenges for owners include a lack of nearby filling stations (37%), excess traffic (30%), and insufficient parking spaces (24%). The study implies that increased vehicle use exacerbates environmental and health issues while straining campus infrastructure. These insights are significant for university administrators, suggesting a need for improved parking facilities, fuel access, and sustainable transportation initiatives to mitigate congestion and support student mobility effectively.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• acceptance adoption