Geological Behavior (GBR)

The study was initiated to address the need for accessible spatial data on pothole locations, which is crucial for road maintenance efforts aimed at reducing accidents, preventing loss of life, and protecting property. Its goal was to conduct a spatial analysis of pothole locations and their geometrical features, providing essential information for policymakers, road construction companies, and road users in Yenagoa City Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The research objectives included identifying the spatial locations of potholes, analyzing their geometrical characteristics, calculating the total volume of potholes on the roads, and producing a geospatial map of potholes in the study area. The study examined twenty internal roads, including Opolo Road, Ebi’s Mechanic Road, Amarata, Goodnews Road, and Azikoro. A combination of ground survey methods, remote sensing, and geospatial information systems was used. Data were collected using a Differential Global Positioning System with Real-Time Kinematics and drone technology, which provided both three-dimensional and aerial views of the potholes. Data processing was conducted using ArcGIS 10 and Drone-Deploy software. The findings included the coordinates, surface areas, volumes, imagery, and digitized maps of the potholes in the study area. A total of 239 potholes were identified, with varying surface areas and volumes across the roads. Ebi’s Mechanic Road in Amarata had the highest percentage of potholes, accounting for 21% of the total with 51 potholes covering 11,958.901m2. Azikoro Road was found to be the longest and widest road, while Nepa Road was the shortest. Notably, Opolo Road, which is the  only interlocked road, had the fewest potholes and the smallest surface area affected by them. The deployment of Geospatial techniques in this study underscored the capability of the approach to delineate and generate the geometrical attributes of these potholes in the study area.