Emission tests begin across the capital city
JAKARTA (JP): Emission tests began at five city sites yesterday, targeting testing of 10,000 cars by Thursday. In at least one of five sites, results were improved from last year, when the city launched the first of a three-part test.
At the site on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, only 15 percent, or 37 of 250 tested buses and cars, got red stickers, indicating failure of the test. In the earlier test last June, 67 percent of 1,307 vehicles tested failed.
The tests, part of the city's 'blue-sky campaign' to curb air pollution, was the second in the three-part of tests. The first was held last June and the third is scheduled next month.
The series has involved distribution of 25,000 questionnaires to motorists, including the 10,000 tested.
The questionnaires, already provided in the form of ready-to- mail sheets, must be received by March 1 by PT Pos Indonesia. The questionnaires will then be processed by the automotive verification and testing division of state-run research firm, PT Sucofindo. The results are expected to reflect public knowledge and opinion of Jakarta's air pollution.
Among questions are expenses for vehicle maintenance, motorists' opinion on air quality in Jakarta and whether failing emission tests should be tied to denial of requests for car ownership document extension.
The questionnaire also includes a sheet containing information on various pollutants and their health hazards.
Yesterday, of the 250 vehicles on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, 160 used gasoline while the remainder used diesel fuel. The test did not disrupt traffic as it was conducted on the slow lane.
Several trucks, commonly perceived as a major source of pollution, passed the test.
The tests covered exposure of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide for vehicles using gasoline and smoke for those using diesel fuel.
Among the vehicles which failed, a Daihatsu truck, which used diesel fuel, turned out to have 92 percent smoke; the tolerable level is 50 percent.
Most drivers participated willingly, though a few grumbled about the delay caused by the testing. One driver, Indra, said he hoped more substances could be tested.
Aboejoewono said earlier only three substances were tested as these were considered to be the most feasible. Unleaded fuels are still limited in use, so lead is not part of the tests.
Yesterday Aboejoewono could not yet reveal the results of tests in five sites.
Apart from Jl. Merdeka Barat, other sites were Jl. Benyamin S, Jl. Raya Cacing and Jl. Kelapa Gading Boulevard in North Jakarta, and Jl. Gunung Sahari in Central Jakarta.
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja hoped all motorists took adequate care of their vehicles through routine visits to service centers, to reduce air pollution.
He reminded motorists that the 1992 Traffic and Road Transport Law will be effective in September, giving car owners "less than a year to prepare themselves."
"I am sure it would not be difficult for Jakartans, especially those who love cars and motorcycles, to take care of their vehicles and improve the performance of the vehicles' machines," Surjadi said.
If everyone took care of their vehicles "we could create a clean Jakarta and make traveling more enjoyable for all," Surjadi said in a press release also distributed to drivers of tested vehicles.
Tomorrow the tests will be conducted on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, and Jl. Pemuda, Jl. Pondok Gede, Jl. Raya Bekasi and Jl. Raya Bogor in East Jakarta. (02/anr)