Polri's Strategy to Ease Congestion: Changing National One-Way to Segmental One-Way

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Republic of Indonesia Police (Polri) is applying a traffic engineering strategy by changing the national one-way scheme to a segmental one-way to ease the density of the 2026 Lebaran return flow on toll roads. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the scheme change is beginning at the Kalikangkung Toll Gate in response to the dynamics of vehicle volumes passing through. “For the Kalikangkung Toll Gate right now, we are shifting from the national one-way, which we will change to a segmental one-way. That means, based on the predictions from the vision ratio, we have started making the traffic engineering changes,” he said during a joint return flow monitoring press conference in Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday (25/3/2026). The figure is considered higher compared to the previous year, which recorded 223,163 vehicles. Nevertheless, Polri remains vigilant against potential further surges. This is because the return flow is predicted to experience another peak on 28 March 2026 and 29 March 2026. As of now, around 2,040,000 vehicles have returned to Jakarta. Meanwhile, about 2,521,229 vehicles have not yet returned and have the potential to add to the density. “This becomes our homework to be able to resolve in activities related to the peak return flow,” Listyo emphasised. He stressed that traffic engineering will continue to be adjusted to field conditions. If there is a significant increase in vehicle volume, the possibility of changing the scheme again is not ruled out. In addition to traffic engineering, Polri also urges the public to manage travel times and utilise the remaining return flow period to avoid density. Listyo also reminded of the importance of safety during the journey, including not forcing oneself when fatigued and utilising available rest facilities along toll and arterial routes. These efforts are carried out to ensure the return flow runs smoothly while reducing traffic accident rates until all vehicles return to Jakarta safely.