{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1773612,
        "msgid": "why-is-the-zipper-merge-method-difficult-to-implement-on-indonesian-roads-1780115462",
        "date": "2026-05-30 07:22:00",
        "title": "Why is the Zipper Merge Method Difficult to Implement on Indonesian Roads?",
        "author": "Agung Kurniawan",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Infrastructure",
        "summary": "Severe traffic congestion in South Jakarta's Lenteng Agung, caused by a collapsed lane, highlights the vulnerability of Indonesia's traffic system during road narrowing. Experts state that the zipper merge method cannot be effectively implemented here due to insufficient driver empathy and understanding of traffic laws, unlike in developed countries where collective awareness ensures smooth traffic flow without officer intervention.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Severe traffic congestion in the Lenteng Agung\narea of South Jakarta, caused by a collapsed lane, is a clear indication\nof how fragile Indonesia\u2019s traffic system is when facing road narrowing\n(bottleneck). When roads narrow drastically from three or four lanes to\njust one, traffic jams stretch for long distances. Theoretically, such\nbottleneck situations can be resolved independently by road users using\nthe zipper merge method, where vehicles from left and right lanes take\nturns moving forward one by one. \u2018This self-organising method doesn\u2019t\nseem feasible in Indonesia due to the characteristics of motor vehicle\nusers and Indonesian culture as a whole,\u2019 Jusri told Kompas.com on\nFriday, 29 May 2026. According to Jusri, the root issue lies in two\nfundamental aspects missing from most Indonesian road users: empathy and\nunderstanding of traffic laws. Jusri added that in developed countries,\ntraffic flow at narrowing points remains smooth due to collective\nawareness. \u2018The key is empathy to avoid bottlenecks. In foreign or\ndeveloped countries, this isn\u2019t an issue. Even without traffic officers,\nthey will use the zipper merge technique,\u2019 he said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-is-the-zipper-merge-method-difficult-to-implement-on-indonesian-roads-1780115462",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}