How to prevent traffic congestion

How to prevent traffic congestion

When it comes to kemacetan (traffic jams), everyone has an
opinion on who are the guilty parties.

Most of the time, bus and bajaj drivers are blamed for the
daily congestion on the city's streets.

What people forget is that traffic is like a piped water
system: If you stop the water at one point, the whole network is
affected. Water finds its way to the plug hole but this overloads
the other pipes and creates strange effects like backflow,
turbulence or overpressure. In any event, the flow is reduced.

This is exactly what happens in traffic. Every day, I have to
turn right to enter the street where I live. And every day it is
the same crazy situation. The intersection is blocked and no one
seems to see me although I wave at people, blow my horn or flash
my lights. It's no use waiting for somebody to let you in; you
could wait for ever. I have to fight and force my car through.

Meanwhile, hundreds of cars have to wait behind me. It seems
that once behind the steering wheel, drivers can only see in
front of them. They just pretend not to see you. The only traffic
rule seems to be "me first".

But I am not the only one. Just think how many people have to
turn against opposing traffic in the entire city: Hundreds,
thousands ... . Every day I create a mini kemacetan of, say, 200
meters. Just multiply this by 100 or 1000: Got the picture?

The notion of traffic fluidity should be in drivers' minds at
all times, in their own interest. If you prevent somebody from
turning in front of you, you are slowing down all the traffic and
therefore yourself, too.

This is not even a question a politeness; it is pure physics
and mathematics. "Do not block intersection" should be enforced
and proper street markings clearly indicating that should be
implemented.

Train police staff on traffic fluidity matters and fine the
bad guys. Radio stations and TV could collaborate and broadcast
educational traffic programs instead of the usual, stupid campus
romance soap operas.

But not only have drivers to improve their behavior -- just
look at pedestrians. They cross roads anyhow, anywhere ...
risking their lives and once again slowing down the traffic. Just
spend five minutes watching people in front of Pasaraya, terminal
Blok M. Nobody uses the pedestrian footbridge.

But that's another story that should start at primary
school.

So, scapegoat bus and bajaj drivers? Well ... that's up to
you to decide.

DANIEL CRICKX
Jakarta