Gov’t to Apply Traffic Engineering to Anticipate Mudik Flow
President Jokowi, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung, chairs the meeting on the Supplies of Staples and Preparation for the Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri Mudik Flow in Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (03/24). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi mentioned that his ministry in collaboration with the Indonesian Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) and toll road developer PT Jasa Marga will apply a more measurable traffic engineering plan than before.
According to Budi, the plan is expected to be more effective in overcoming traffic prior to Eid Al-Fitr mudik (annual homecoming during the holiday of Eid al-Fitr) 1444 Hijri.
Budi explained that the problem of traffic jams during the upcoming Eid holiday will be overcome by increasing the capacity of the transportation system such as trains, ships and airplanes.
“We are confident with our measures on issues concerning the train, sea, air, and crossing transportation services, because the capacity that we provide is significantly increased,” said the Minister of Transportation in his press statement after the meeting chaired by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on the Supplies of Staples and Preparation for the Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri Mudik Flow at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Friday (03/24).
However, he acknowledged the potential for congestion on Cipali toll road. For this reason, he works with Korlantas on a traffic engineering plan to overcome this issue through one-way, contraflow, and even-odd strategies.
“The Cipali toll road, from Jakarta to kilometer 66, has 8 routes, and after kilometer 66, there are 4 routes. So that is where traffic engineering will be carried out, be it one-way, contraflow, or the odd-even strategies. We are careful to do this odd-even strategy considering that the trip from Medan and Palembang to Jakarta must be delayed, but we will discuss it,” he explained to the journalists.
The Minister further stated that the capacity-to-volume ratio (c/v ratio) is crucial to avoid traffic jams.
“In short, previously we were flexible to set the days, but this time, we will discuss the CV ratio, capacity to volume. So, the amount of capacity and volume should be at 0.6. If it is above 0.6 or 0.8, it means congested, and if it reaches at one, it means stuck. I have reported to the President that in exercise, it is already 0.6. God willing, we could carry out the simulation and it was possible, especially concerning land vehicles in Cipali,” he explained.
Therefore, the Ministry of Transportation will conduct a survey within two weeks before the holiday to evaluate the situation.
The Ministry of Transportation, Korlantas, and PT Jasa Marga also continue to manage traffic on arterial road and Java’s northern coast toll road (Pantura) to anticipate Eid Al-Fitr’s mudik traffic jams. Budi said that the narrow arterial road has been widened so that the effectiveness of Pantura can be increased.
“Arterial road is relatively more efficient because out of seven narrowing bridges, five or six have been developed, so there is only one remaining to make the Pantura toll road reliable,” said the Minister.
He also appreciated the Korlantas and PT Jasa Marga for their cooperation in calculating the ratio of the number of vehicles passing a road in a certain period (the volume) compared to the maximum capacity of the road as an alternative.
“We have visited several points. Last week, the Chief of Korlantas and I went to Cipali to see how the road has been made into eight routes and also four routes. The four routes already have additional rest areas. So, we hope more rest areas are provided, and the Toll Road Enterprise is also cooperative and can manage it well,” he concluded. (FID/AIT/MIT) (FKH/AW/MUR)
