Observer: Weigh Bridge Is Important To Prevent Damaged Roads

Transportation observer at Diponegoro University, Semarang, Dr. Yudi Basuki. (ANTARA)

Transportation observer at Diponegoro University, Semarang, Dr. Yudi Basuki assessed the existence of an important weight bridge as an effort to prevent road damage.

"This weight bridge is only one of the maintenance aspects, but the weighing bridge reflects the prevention of excess cargo," he said, in Semarang, Saturday.

According to him, the existence of a weight bridge can control the load of the vehicle so as to reduce road damage.

"We need to study whether to add or reactivate existing weight bridges," said the Head of the Study Program for Regional Planning and City Faculty of Engineering Undip.

In addition to weighing bridges, he said, other efforts are needed, such as controlling ODOL vehicles (over-dimension overload), making regulations, awareness of drivers and transportation entrepreneurs, to using a kind of application for monitoring technology.

The Ministry of Transportation has identified a number of weight bridges in Central Java-DIY, including Tanjung (Brebes), Subah (Batang), Sarang (Rembang), Banyudono (Boyolali), Klepu (Semarang Regency).

Then, the Ajibarang Weigh Bridge (Banyumas), Wanareja (Cilacap), Kulwaru (Kulonprogo), Kalitirto and Tamanmartani (Sleman).

According to him, the condition of roads in Central Java in general does look safe and good. If classified, the condition is good and moderate, and only a few are damaged.

"Based on road network data that I took from the DPU, the road in Central Java tends to be good and medium. There are only a few damaged roads in Demak, Kudus, and Blora," he said.

He admitted that the causes of road damage were varied, such as abrasion in coastal areas, or due to excessive road burdens.

"In the future, a good and precise road maintenance scheme is needed. This is important so that roads are not easily damaged so that they spend the budget," he said.

For controlling ODOL, he said, regulations and awareness must be carried out in stages, and everything must be understood that roads are public spaces financed from taxes from all vehicle users.

"Socialization to ODOL drivers, companies, and the public is important. If it is immediately prohibited or cannot, there must be tolerance. They need to be understood in the principle of road justice so that they understand and do not harm," he said.

He said that ODOL not only caused roads and bridges to be damaged due to excess tonnage, but was also prone to accidents and caused slow traffic which also caused harm to drivers and transportation entrepreneurs.

"This road mouth must be maintained together to save cost transportation for everything.