Preparing for the Reverse Flow of Traffic

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Vehicles headed for Central Java line up more than 1 kilometer at the Palimanan toll gate in Cirebon regency, West Java, at 1:17 p.m. on Saturday (9/6/2018). A surge in the number of vehicles has triggered congestion on the Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road during this year’s Idul Fitri holiday season.

With the outbound wave of Lebaran traffic behind us and the Idul Fitri celebration having gone well, it is now time for the government to anticipate the reverse flow of holiday travelers.

Lebaran traffic seems to be a more political affair in 2018. The smooth exodus from Greater Jakarta from Friday-Monday (June 8-11, 2018) was hailed as the success of the government of President Joko Widodo. Conversely, critics seized on congestion from Tuesday-Thursday (June 12-14, 2018) in a bid to negate the government’s accomplishments in the management of Lebaran traffic.

The debate about Lebaran travel has become more political, especially in social media. Community groups are split in the unilateral claims and take advantage of the cultural ritual of the Lebaran travel tradition. The smooth flow of traffic is attributed to the construction of toll roads and the successful management of Lebaran traffic. Conversely, when there are long traffic jams, the other camp seems to be cheering.

Political differences divide netizens and influencers in social media, with likes and dislikes trumping any common sense. There seems to be an urge to negate the smoothness of Lebaran traffic whenever there is severe congestion. News of long Lebaran trips or exciting travel experiences is reported in line with the inclination of political support.

It is common sense that traffic will run smoothly when there are no extreme peaks. Just how wise travelers are in choosing the time to travel and in monitoring traffic conditions on the main Lebaran routes will determine the flow of Lebaran travel. As a matter of fact, there will be severe congestion when traffic peaks. It is also a fact that the police\'s discretion in applying one-way and counter-flow traffic schemes along 120 kilometers of the Cipali toll road during peak traffic helps to reduce congestion.

Congestion during holiday travel is quite an ordinary thing. When a number of vehicles move at the same time, dense traffic is certain to happen. Digital paths can be traced to get a picture of the development of Lebaran traffic flows from time to time.

It is a fact that Lebaran traffic has been improving year after year. The smooth traffic flow is the result of several factors, such as the increasing number of alternative roads and modes of transportation, more days off and faster, on-site decisions. We certainly owe thanks to the Ministry of Transportation, the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI), as well as to the community organizations involved in managing Lebaran travel. They are the ones deployed in the field to achieve smooth flows of outbound and inbound Lebaran traffic.

However, we want to note that the task is not accomplished yet. There will still be an influx to the capital city that will reach its peaks on June 19-20, 2018, and June 22 to 23, 2018. It is the government\'s duty to ensure the inbound flow remains comfortable and secure and that the risk of accidents is kept in check. Vehicle users still have to carefully choose the time to return to Jakarta and monitor traffic conditions on the reverse flow routes through communication technology devices.