The Ministry of Transportation conducted a study to ensure that rest areas are used at their maximum levels on toll roads, while not impacting traffic congestion when there is a surge in the volume of vehicles.
"Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi told me that he had the idea of optimizing the rest areas by expanding the number of vehicles, while not impacting congestion," said Director General of Land Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, Budi Setyadi, here on Wednesday.
The instructions delivered by the Minister of Transportation includes the creation of rest areas that offer refueling and toilet services, without the presence of food and beverage centers.
"The Minister asked for large rest areas that could accommodate many vehicles, and would be sufficient for refueling services, but not for food and so on. This is in our review process," he said.
Budi said, a number of existing rest areas are currently located on large enough land so that they only need development of their facilities.
They also are considering a plan to close a number of toll road rest areas, which are believed to trigger congestion.
"When the homecoming and return takes place, many people stop at rest areas. So there is an idea to close the rest area on kilometers 62, 52 and 42 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road," he said.
Budi said the effort to reduce traffic around the rest areas by the new PT Jasa Marga operator at the traffic management level included limiting the entry of vehicles, as well as imposing a ban on heavy tonnage vehicles in rest areas.
The Head of the Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police, Inspector General Refdi Andri, said alternative rest areas were needed to anticipate congestion.
Alternative rest areas will only provide certain facilities, such as gas stations and toilets. Unlike main rest areas that also offer food and snacks.
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
