In Order To Avoid Overcrowding, The East Java Provincial Government Applies A System Of Opening And Closing Rest Areas On Toll Roads

Illustration of rest area/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of East Java (Jatim) will implement a system of opening and closing rest areas or resting places on toll roads if there is congestion at that location during homecoming and return flows in the context of Eid 2022.

"This is one of the anticipatory-mitigative steps so that problems that occur during the homecoming and return flow can be resolved," said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar, quoted from Antara, Sunday, April 24.

In addition, several other steps, namely in the form of toll payments with a "pick up the ball" system in case of congestion at toll gates, including optimizing the opening of toll road gates.

Then, the application of traffic engineering management (MRLL) at intersections that have the potential for congestion, as well as at public gas stations (SPBU).

Furthermore, motorcycle drivers are directed through the paths that have been set for two-wheeled riders.

"As for areas or tourist attractions, arrangements are made regarding the number of visitor capacities and parking spaces," said the number one person in the East Java Provincial Government.

The governor said that his party had anticipated the handling of congestion at several points where the market was spilled.

"I hope all regional heads in East Java can coordinate and anticipate it," said Khofifah.

This includes, he said, placing officers in the field, preparing portable road equipment (traffic cones, water burriers), as well as anticipating officers at level crossings and road repairs.

Meanwhile, the East Java Provincial Government along with other related parties have anticipated the occurrence of various problems during the density of homecoming and return flows for Eid in the local area.

Starting from bad weather and natural disasters, congestion at arterial segments or toll exits, spikes in passengers for all modes of transportation, spikes in tourist visits, readiness for transportation modes (roadworthiness), damage to roads and bridges, including a spike in post-holiday COVID-19 cases.

It is predicted that this season the homecoming and return flow will experience a surge, especially since the last two years there has been a policy of prohibiting going home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on the Balitbang survey of the Ministry of Transportation on Eid transportation in 2022, the potential for national movement during the Eid music period reaches 85.5 million people who are divided through various modes of transportation.

In detail, private car users are 22.9 million people or 26.8 percent, buses are 16.5 percent or 16.9 million people, airplanes are 16.5 percent or 14.1 million people, and trains are 10.4 percent or 8.9 million people.

From the survey data above, it is stated that the origin of the most regional trips for homecomers is East Java, which is as many as 14.6 million people.

However, after the abolition of the requirements for the antigen swab test and PCR for travelers with booster or booster vaccines, the potential for travelers to East Java has increased to 16.8 million people.

"Of these 16.8 million people, 47 percent use private cars. So, various mitigation and preventive measures have been prepared that can anticipate the possibility of a buildup of vehicles at one point, including various other protective measures," said Khofifah.