Traffic in Jakarta is crowded or severely congested every day during rush hours, when leaving home and returning home. Traffic jams increased by more than 50 percent compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic.
By
FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY
·5 minutes read
FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN
Traffic jam on Jalan Mayjen Sutoyo, East Jakarta, during working hours, Monday (9/1/2023).
Traffic jam management has become a focus of the Jakarta Provincial Administration and has become one of the three current priority programs. The other two priority programs are flood control and anticipating the impact of reduced economic growth.
One of the traffic jam solutions being discussed by the Jakarta Administration and the Legislative Council (DPRD) is the draft bylaw on the implementation of electronic road pricing (ERP).
The ERP deliberation at the DPRD Commission B, which deals with the economic sector, was delayed twice because the Jakarta Governor Assistant for Economy and Finance, Sri Haryati, was not present. The reason was that the provincial administration was not willing to explain directly in the hearing session.
The uncertainty regarding the ERP deliberation was accompanied by the rejection of the implementation of this policy from online ojek drivers. On Wednesday (25/1/2023), they demonstrated at the DPRD expressing their concern that the ERP would burden online motorcycle taxi operations.
Chairman of Commission B DPRD, Ismail, asked for full attention from the provincial administration as the ERP initiator in the third meeting later. Attention is important because the ERP deliberation cannot be suspended considering it has only reached the presentation stage.
"The materials are quite complete, there are academic papers and a draft bylaw, plus exposure to ERP and people's wishes," said Ismail.
Traffic director of Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. Latif Usman, in a meeting with Commission B DPRD explained that the traffic jam level in 2019 amounted to 53 percent. Traffic jams decreased during the start of the 2020 pandemic to 36 percent.
Traffic congestion fell again to 34 percent in 2021, before increasing in the first quarter of 2022, amounting to 48 percent. Percentages above 40 percent are classified as uncomfortable for driving.
We can do time-cycle arrangements for all intersections in the corridor and implementation can be carried out.
“Looking at the current situation, the congestion estimate is already above 50 percent; this is a cause for concern. The average number of trips per day is 22 million movements from departing, returning and additional activities, so our efforts are in the form of traffic engineering, odd-even policy or other regulations," he said.
Under these conditions, the Jakarta Transportation Agency for the short term will close 27 turnaround (U-turn) points and set up a one-way system on the seven roads that have been identified. This urgent effort is expected to reduce traffic congestion in several locations.
Head of Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that he has synergized with Google Indonesia to optimize traffic data. The analysis and evaluation started in one pilot corridor from Jl. Imam Bonjol, Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro and Jl. Proklamasi to Jl. Pemuda.
"After that, we can do time-cycle arrangements for all intersections in the corridor and implementation can be carried out. Then, we increase the quality and quantity of public transport services, especially those that are integrated with Transjakarta [city bus system]," said Syafrin.
FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN
Traffic jam on Jalan Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, during working hours, Monday (9/1/2023).
Master Plan
Congestion occurs along with the development of a region. The master plan and the government's commitment to managing the Jakarta area and its surroundings are one of the foundations for dealing with current and future traffic jams.
Chairman of the Indonesian Transportation Society's Urban Transportation Forum, Budi Yulianto, said that transportation is intrinsically related to urban planning. One of them is with the ASI pattern, namely “avoid” (avoid or reduce the need for travel), “shift” (maintain or switch to public transportation modes) and “improve” (fuel efficiency and vehicle technology).
"Land use is inextricably linked to the concept of a transit orientation area. ‘Shift’ forces people to switch [to public transport] by imposing the ERP. And, ‘improve’ [for example, upgrade] diesel to electric buses," said Budi, on Thursday (26/1/2023).
Implementation of the ERP to force people to switch to public transport is not easy and requires a process because it is related to social, economic and cultural problems in Jakarta. It takes government commitment in sustainable transportation.
Budi hopes that ERP will not just follow trends in other countries. Instead, it must focus on learning from the successes or failures of other countries. For example, it took London 39 years from the study in 1964 to implementation in 2003.
The lecturer at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Sebelas Maret University, explained that ERP is a macro concept that cannot stand alone, so it must be thoroughly discussed from the standpoints of academic studies, legality, impact on residents and the environment and the effectiveness of reducing congestion.
"People are forced to use public transportation, but make sure that public transport is ready in term of capacity and service, the economy is also running, workers are not disturbed and social life runs as usual," he said.
There must be an excellent alternative for residents. Parking is also important,
London's success in implementing ERP is supported by the habit of walking or cycling with pedestrian paths and comfortable paths from the point of departure to the final destination.
In addition, the success of ERP is supported by targeted costs, parking management by reducing on-street parking and progressive parking rates. For example, study the parking system in Japan, as well as Stockholm and Singapore, which apply rates according to traffic conditions. It (the parking rate) is more expensive in areas where traffic is heavy and it is cheaper where traffic is light.
Chairperson of the University of Indonesia Inter-University Transport Study Forum Andyka Kusuma added, it is necessary to do traffic modeling before adopting a policy such as closing U-turns or implementing a one-way traffic policy. Also, such a policy should be holistic, not partial.
“There must be an excellent alternative for residents. Parking is also important, it is located on the outskirts of Jakarta; if it is in the center of the city, it must be controlled and rates are based on zoning," said Andy.
Overcoming traffic jams in Jakarta cannot be done with just one policy. The government needs to continue pondering ideas, integrating policies on traffic management and controlling the use of private motorized vehicles.
