Motorcycle ban on Jalan MH Thamrin to Medan Merdeka Barat effectively reduces traffic congestion in the area. Head of Jakarta Traffic Engineering Sub-Department, Masdes Arrofi revealed that generally, motorcycle ban policy in such roads succeed reduces the traffic density around 20-25 percent.

From traffic performance points that has been measured, the traffic density in such spots reduced 20 to 25 percent

“From traffic performance points that has been measured, the traffic density in such spots reduced 20 to 25 percent,” he said, Wednesday (4/8).

Arrofi explained, performance measurement including traffic density, speed and traffic fluency, as well as travel time of the vehicle. In which, the traffic density reduced by 22.4 percent, the traffic speed and fluency increased by 17.1 percent from the previous 26.3 to 30.8 kilometer per hour.

“Vehicle travel times is more efficiently by 15.9 percent. Previously, from Bundaran HI to the end of Medan Merdeka Barat took 8.2 minutes but now only 6.9 minutes or 1.3 minutes faster.

He admitted the alternative roads along motorcycle ban traffic has increased about 20 percent. It is understandable concerning the volume of traffic vehicle in such area is diverted to the alternate roads.

“It was true, the traffic volume in the alternative road increased.  It is very simple logic, we divert to alternative way on Jalan Abdul Muis and Jalan KH Mas Mansyur. The traffic density increased about 20 percent,” he said.

However, Arrofi continued, the increasing of the alternative roads are balance with the reduction of the traffic density in the motorcycle ban roads.

“The traffic density in the alternative roads increased by 20.4 percent, the speed reduce by 23.6 percent, the travel time increased 20 percent. It was quite balance,” he disclosed.