”Contraflow” Needs Evaluation

Contraflow engineering should only be applied in unforeseen emergencies.

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

The contraflow policy has begun to be implemented on the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road Kilometers 47 to 70 to reduce the increase in traffic volume during the 2024 Eid homecoming flow.

Learning from the deadly accident with 12 people killed at Kilometer 58 of the Cikampek Toll Road, East Karawang, the authorities should look for a complete solution so that they don't implement contraflow engineering every year. mainly on the freeway.

Contraflow is an engineering system or traffic management (traffic) that is carried out by smoothing the direction of vehicle traffic flow on roads filled with high density by adding vehicle flow lanes on the side of the vehicle lane from the opposite direction.

To reduce congestion, traffic authorities (usually) apply contraflow on road sections that are very busy with vehicles, especially during rush hours, or apply it every year during homecoming or returning during national holidays.

Whycontraflow? Contraflow engineering should only be applied in emergencies that cannot be foreseen, for example roads that are impassable due to natural factors, such as landslides, collapsed bridges, floods, or fatal accidents that result in heavy traffic jams. awfully.

Contraflow engineering is the most dangerous traffic control system because it is prone to fatal accidents.

Based on accurate and scientific data, efforts to gradually solve traffic congestion must find a solution as soon as possible, including: 1. Reducing the number of private vehicles in the city by up to 50 percent by encouraging city residents to switch to comfortable, safe, and timely public transportation modes.

2. Provide parking pockets at every point that is connected to public transportation services.

3. Limiting private vehicles entering the city with an electronic toll road system implemented on several roads with high vehicle volume in the city.

Jakarta can set an example for its residents to always engage in intelligent and efficient activities by switching to using public transportation, saving energy, time, and fuel.

FX WIBISONO

North Kumudasmoro, Semarang

"Contraflow" is dangerous

The fatal accident on the Cikampek Km 58 toll road, Monday (8/4/2024), in the middle of the homecoming flow ahead of Eid really distressed our psychology and humanity. Information in the mass media stated that the accident occurred because a minibus driving in the contraflow lane suddenly went in the opposite direction. Collisions with intercity interprovincial buses (AKAP) and then with other minibuses from the opposite direction were inevitable. There was a fire in the two minibuses. Twelve people also died.

Various analyzes immediately spread. However, the contraflow system on toll roads should be the focus of attention. Toll roads are roads with special speeds. The flow of vehicles is also divided into two with a barrier in the form of empty land 3-5 meters wide (sometimes with boundary wire added) or a concrete wall. Even with a system like this, accidents can still occur because vehicles cross the barrier.

How is it possible for a contraflow system to be implemented on a toll road that is busy with travelers and is only provided with barriers in the form of cones without ropes and without adequate supervision by officers?

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi also decided that contraflow would still be enforced because it was not wrong and was commonly done. People must comply with the contraflow provisions to stay in their lane and not take the path of other vehicles.

The success of constructing toll roads cannot replace the lives of the 12 people who died. The transportation system must guarantee the safety of each toll road user's life.

TRIWAMWOTO CITRA

Srengseng Sawah, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta