Traffic control system is in confusion
Traffic control system is in confusion
JAKARTA (JP): The director of the national traffic police has
urged the Directorate General of Land Transportation to clear up
confusion over who is responsible for managing traffic control
system (TCS) panels.
Brig. Gen. Ansyar Roem said over the weekend the directorate
should issue clear-cut regulations on the panels erected at
almost all major intersections in the city.
He said city land transportation staff and the traffic police
both seemed to believe the responsibility lay with the other.
"We've asked the Directorate General of Land Transportation to
assign the police to be in charge of the daily operation of TCS,
and the city land transportation for its maintenance."
Meanwhile, head of the technical department of the city land
transportation agency, Nurachman, said: "It is time for the
agency and the police to forge joint cooperation to solve the
traffic flow problems in Jakarta."
He acknowledged his agency frequently faced difficulty in
maintaining the TCS equipment.
"Many times we have to do the repairs all by ourselves, which
causes traffic jams. And we end up being blamed for it," he said.
Nurachman agreed that precise procedures were needed on TCS
operation. "Then operators will not only know how to use it, but
also how to take care of the equipment."
Ansyar Roem also urged the city administration to introduce a
policy on a staggered schedule for morning work times for private
employees, civil servants and military personnel to help reduce
traffic congestion in the capital.
"The application of the different schedules is expected to
help police to better control the traffic flows and reduce
traffic jams," he said.
"For instance, the military officers could enter the office at
7 a.m, the state officers at 8 a.m. and private employees at 9
a.m.," Ansyar said.
He said the current system -- where many people share similar
work hours -- led to traffic jams.
"It is even hard to decide rush hours in Jakarta because
traffic jams can last for hours here," he said.
Ansyar said that workers and students have to struggle to find
a space on public transportation vehicles, mainly buses or
trains, at peak hours.
"And in those hours, usually in the morning or in the
afternoon, the buses or trains are overloaded. This is very
dangerous for the passengers and drivers," Ansyar said.
He said his office was preparing a proposal about traffic flow
schedules to the city administration. "We plan to discuss this
after the new city governor officially takes office." (07)