Application of Geographic Information Systems in Road Network Planning and Maintenance Management in Delta State

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer powerful spatial analysis capabilities that can transform road network planning and maintenance management by enabling data-driven decision-making. This study investigates the application of GIS tools in road network planning and maintenance management in Delta State, South South Nigeria. A professional applied research design was employed, combining GIS-based mapping of Delta State's road network with interviews of 20 engineers and planners from the Delta State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure. The study develops a prototype road condition database using ArcGIS, maps the spatial distribution of road distress on the Asaba-Ughelli corridor, and demonstrates how GIS outputs can inform maintenance prioritisation decisions. Findings from the prototype show that 62 percent of the 120-kilometre corridor assessed requires urgent intervention, and GIS visualisation enables precise identification of the worst-affected segments. Current maintenance planning by the Ministry is based on ad hoc field surveys without spatial data integration, leading to inefficient resource allocation. The study demonstrates the cost-efficiency gains achievable through GIS-enabled maintenance management, estimating a potential 20 to 30 percent improvement in maintenance budget utilisation. Recommendations include the institutionalisation of GIS in the Ministry's infrastructure management workflow, investment in staff GIS training, and the procurement of road condition survey vehicles with GPS integration. These findings offer a practical roadmap for applying geospatial tools in transport administration across South South Nigeria. Keywords: GIS, road maintenance, network planning, Delta State, spatial analysis.