Education vital to alleviating traffic-jams<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A former police traffic director has identified
\ncommunity training and education as the most effective ways to
\nease Jakarta's traffic problems.<\/p>\n
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Untung Margono in an interview with The
\nJakarta Post said late last week that while the municipal
\nauthority has prepared an appropriate long term master-plan to
\ncope with the chaotic traffic situation, a more immediate remedy
\ncan be sought by raising the public's consciousness on traffic
\nmatters.<\/p>\n
\"We must raise public awareness on traffic etiquette and the
\nonly way to do that is through education and counseling,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Untung, now chairman of the Institute for Traffic and
\nTransportation Development in Indonesia, explained that it will
\ntake a lot of time and money before the solutions contained in
\nthe master-plan could be realized.<\/p>\n
\"This is not a mere one or two-year effort,\" Untung warned.
\n\"It must be continuous and will take between five to 10 years
\nbefore we see any results.\"<\/p>\n
Untung said in order to promote discipline and awareness,
\nmembers of the Institute have approached the Ministry of
\nEducation in an attempt to bring traffic learning to the schools.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately the ministry could not accommodate the proposal
\ndue to limited time and manpower. Efforts are thus being directed
\nthrough informal means such as seminars.<\/p>\n
As Jakarta approaches its 467th anniversary on June 22,
\ntraffic has by far become the most distressing problem plaguing
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
It has come to the point where one can no longer go a single
\nday without hearing complaints caused by the clog of vehicles
\noccurring at various points throughout the teeming capital city
\nof more than 8 million people.<\/p>\n
Untung revealed that the municipal government has set-up a
\ncomprehensive plan for an urban mass-transport system
\nencompassing the use of elongated buses and a railway.<\/p>\n
The vice-chairman of the Institute, police Maj. Gen. (ret.)
\nSubianto, divulged that the municipal government favored the
\ndevelopment of subways since they would be speedy, comfortable
\nand not interfere with the flow of vehicles.<\/p>\n
\"The plans for a train line from Blok M to Kota for both above
\nand below ground are already there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At this point Untung quickly intervened claiming that
\nPresident Soeharto himself objected to an overhead rail line
\nbecause it would ruin the surroundings.<\/p>\n
\"It would make the city look like a giant spider-web,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Funds<\/p>\n
Both Untung and Subianto agreed that the main set-back to the
\nambitious master-plan is the fact that there is no money.<\/p>\n
Unless financing comes from somewhere, the current traffic
\nsituation will prevail.<\/p>\n
\"We need money and investors. In Indonesia's case we need the
\ninvolvement of conglomerates, but they're not interested in
\ntraffic matters they're only interested in business,\" Untung
\nlamented.<\/p>\n
Apart from the large injection of capital, the 78-year old
\nretired general also stressed the importance of integrated and
\ncoordinated management in the future development of the city.
\nThis is rarely done in Indonesia, Untung said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that planning cannot rest with just one
\ngovernment office, adding that consultation with the private
\nsector must not be neglected. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-vital-to-alleviating-traffic-jams-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}