Optimize Odd-Even Traffic Policy Trials On Toll Roads

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A number of vehicles with odd numbers entering the Bekas Barat toll gate towards Jakarta were directed to turn around by officers.

The socialization of odd-even traffic policy trials on toll roads will be more widespread and the number of personnel will be increased. The potential for congestion on non-toll roads during the odd-even traffic policy trials is also anticipated.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The trial of the traffic management with the odd-even traffic policy on the Trans-Java Toll Road will continue on Tuesday (26/4/2022). Reflecting on the experience on Monday (25/4), a number of steps are needed, such as more widespread socialization and the deployment of additional officers, so that the trial runs more optimally.

The odd-even traffic policy trial on Tuesday will take place at 11 a.m.-13:00 p.m., starting from Kilometer (KM) 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road to KM 188 at the Palimanan tollgate (GT), Cirebon, West Java.

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The toll road section used for the traffic policy trial will be longer than the trial on the previous day.

On Monday, the odd-even traffic policy trial was carried out at 11 a.m.-13 p.m. from KM 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road to KM 70 GT Cikampek Utama. In yesterday's trial, vehicles with odd-numbered/even-numbered license plates were separated at two locations.

The first location was at KM 10 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road. Here, small cars with odd-number plates, corresponding to the day’s odd-numbered date, were allowed to pass on the Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) Elevated Toll Road section. As for cars with even-numbered license plate numbers, they were directed to the lower Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road.

The second location is KM 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road. At this location, vehicles with odd-numbered license plate numbers, consistent with the date, can continue their journey via the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, while vehicles with license plate numbers that did not correspond to the date were transferred out of the toll road via GT Karawang Barat tollgate.

Two notes

Based on Kompas' observations, during the traffic policy trial on Monday, there had been a traffic jam because there were vehicles with even-numbered license plates that were directed out at GT Karawang Barat. After the traffic policy trial was stopped, traffic flow was normal again.

As a result, there are still vehicles with even-numbered license plates that enter the test location on odd days.

Head of the Operations Section of the National Policy Traffic Corps (Korlantas), Comr. Eddy Djunaedi, said that there were two evaluation notes related to Monday's test. First, the officers found that there were drivers who did not know about the trials. As a result, there are still vehicles with even-numbered license plates that enter the test location on odd days.

Second, there was traffic slowdown when the vehicles were diverted. Starting from KM 46 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, the police made the left lane into special lane for vehicles with license plates that did not match the date to be transferred to GT Karawang Barat tollgate. The middle lane and right lane were reserved for vehicles whose license plate corresponded with the date.

“Usually this route does not have a special lane or traffic cones to demarcate that; but now, there is a special lane. There will definitely be a slowdown. However, the slowdown was not severe enough to interrupt the trial. It's just that there is a slowdown, and that's what we are evaluating for tomorrow [Tuesday] -- in order to minimize the slowdown," said Eddy.

ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Homecoming vehicles queue before the Palimanan Toll Gate, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Saturday (1/6/2019).

To optimize the next trial, Eddy said, officers will continue to intensify socialization so that the public understands the schedule for the trial. In addition, the number of personnel on duty in the trial will also be increased, especially between GT Cikampek Utama tollgate and GT Palimanan tollgate.

On the first day of the trial, 75 personnel were deployed, including the Korlantas, the Jakarta Police and West Java Police. On the second day, that number will be increased to 100 personnel.

Non-toll road

Traffic director of the West Java Police, Sr. Comr. Romin Thaib, said that vehicles not allowed to enter the toll road because they did not comply with the odd-numbered/even-numbered license plate would be directed to exit via the nearest ramp. On non-toll roads, the traffic management was left to the coordination between the police stations according to the dynamics of the field.

"Traffic management on artery [non-toll] roads will be coordinated between regency police Polres and province police Polda. If the traffic was too dense, contraflow and one-way traffic management could be carried out. Security posts and personnel are prepared," he said.

In addition to blocking road sections that could trigger vehicles to jump across the lane, the police have also erected security posts and traffic control at a number of locations.

The head of the Cirebon Police traffic unit, Comr. Alan Haikel, said that the odd-numbered/even-numbered license plate policy implementation on toll roads could lead to the diversion of vehicles toward the Cirebon north coast route. Therefore, the Cirebon Police anticipates congestion on the north coast route. In addition to blocking road sections that could trigger vehicles to jump across the lane, the police have also erected security posts and traffic control at a number of locations.

The Cirebon Police also coordinates with market managements to prevent excessive crowds which could cause traffic jams. In addition to sending personnel to safeguard the market, the police also prepare traffic management with a counterflow traffic system around the market in case of congestion.

Cirebon Police Chief, Sr. Comr. Arif Budiman, said that 35 personnel who are members of the “tim urai” special team are also ready to serve in case of traffic jams. As many as 15 of them are on standby on the toll road, from the border of Majalengka, West Java, to Brebes, Central Java. Two other teams of 10 people each stood guard on the non-toll route.

The team, among other things, is tasked with handling vehicles that break down or are not roadworthy that may cause traffic jams. "It is hoped that this special team will accelerate quick measures that will be implemented if there is an increase in the number of mudik [homecoming] vehicles," said Arif.

Transportation observer from the University of Indonesia, Ellen SW Tangkudung, supports the completion of the odd-even traffic policy trial on the Trans-Java Toll Road. This is so that the relevant parties can map out the weaknesses that need to be corrected before the full odd-even traffic policy implementation at the peak of mudik. In addition, the trial is a place for field officers to practice handling problems that arise.

Traffic policy trials can also be used to find out how much knowledge the community has about the traffic management plan that will be implemented. In order to spread the traffic policy trial information widely, Ellen encourages continuous socialization in various ways, both modern methods, such as using social media and dynamic message signs on toll roads, as well as traditional methods, such as installing banners and distribution of brochures.

Socialization in various ways is important so that it can reach all levels of society. "Our society is very diverse, right?" said Ellen.

ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Vehicles cross the Palimanan Toll Gate (GT) in Cirebon Regency, West Java, Monday (18/5/2020).

Meanwhile, Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Erika Retnowati ensures that the supply of fuel for the holiday is sufficient. On average, the current fuel stock is sufficient to meet the needs of the next 21 days.

Erika said that the stock of Pertalite fuel (RON 90) is still sufficient for 17 days, Pertamax fuel (RON 92) for 32 days and Pertamax Turbo fuel for 59 days. Meanwhile, diesel is available for 21 days, Pertamina Dex for 72 days, kerosene for 45 days and aviation fuel for 37 days. "The stock of fuel to deal with Lebaran traffic is sufficient. We also prepare for the arus balik [returning traffic]. So, we guarantee that the stock is good," said Erika. (NAD/JOL/GIO/TAM/RTG/IKI/ JOG/EGI/IDO/ESA/RAM/KOR)

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo).