Traffic on Cipali Toll Road Slows Due to Vehicles Stopping on the Shoulder

Traffic flow on the Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road towards Jakarta experienced slowdowns at several points on Thursday due to vehicles stopping on the shoulder of the road. Sustainability Management & Corporate Communications Dept. Head of Astra Tol Cipali, Ardam Rafif Trisilo, stated in Subang, West Java, on Thursday, that cumulatively, the traffic volume on Thursday was monitored to be 27% lower compared to the previous day. Based on data from 00.00 WIB to 08.00 WIB, around 21,000 vehicles had passed through the Cipali toll road via the former Cikopo Toll Gate towards Jakarta. The number of vehicles passing was 31% lower compared to the same period on the previous day, with an average volume of 2,700 vehicles per hour. Meanwhile, from the opposite direction, from Jakarta towards Cirebon, 5,000 vehicles passed through the former Cikopo Toll Gate. “Cumulatively, this morning’s traffic volume was monitored to be 27% lower compared to the previous day,” he said. Ardam stated that although the volume of vehicles passing through the Cipali toll road was lower than the previous day, density occurred at several points, causing traffic flow to slow. The main cause of the slowdown in the field was identified as the increasing number of vehicles stopping on the shoulder, either due to engine problems or driver fatigue. Physical fatigue of holidaymakers on long journeys from the east towards Jakarta caused many drivers to decide to rest on the shoulder or at rest areas upon arriving at the Cipali toll road. To maintain comfort and smooth traffic flow, Astra Tol Cipali together with the regional police implemented a situational open-close system at all rest areas on the Cipali toll road, covering KM 86, 102, 130, and 166 (towards Cirebon) as well as KM 164, 130, 101, and 77 (towards Jakarta). Ardam advised that if rest areas are full, road users are urged not to stop on the shoulder.