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)