Chronic traffic jams are one of the problems that plague the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and the surrounding area (Jabodetabek). As the population grows and the number of motorized vehicles increases, traffic in this region becomes increasingly congested, and daily commuting for residents becomes more difficult and tiring. However, innovative solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) technology are now a hope for overcoming this problem.
Congestion in Jakarta: An Ongoing Challenge
If you are in Jakarta, you are definitely familiar with the routine experience of dealing with traffic jams, especially during rush hours in the morning and evening. Thousands of vehicles, including motorbikes and cars, jam the roads leading to the capital, making the journey slow and tiring. Even on main roads such as MT Haryono and the Grogol flyover, traffic jams often continue until late at night.
In February 2023, the world traffic ranking agency, Tomtom International BV, placed Jakarta in 29th place in the 2022 congestion index list. This is an improvement from the previous ranking which was in 46th position in 2021. According to Tomtom, the average time distance to travel every 10 kilometers in DKI Jakarta is 22 minutes 40 seconds.
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided some relief in traffic jams in Jakarta. However, as activity recovers post-pandemic, traffic is busy again. This reminds us that congestion is a problem that is not only related to the number of vehicles, but also road infrastructure, road capacity, and many other factors.
The Role of AI Technology in Overcoming Congestion
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has made great efforts to overcome traffic jams in the capital city with various steps, ranging from odd-even policies, building underpasses and flyovers, to developing public transportation such as the MRT and LRT. However, one of the latest breakthroughs is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in a traffic monitoring system known as the Network Operation Center (NOC) Intelligent Traffic Light System (ITS).
ITS NOC uses AI technology to automatically regulate traffic lights based on vehicle density information. When traffic is heavy, the green light will speed up, while if traffic is relatively smooth, the red light will be extended. This technology also considers installation locations based on traffic conditions that are prone to congestion, such as main roads such as Daan Mogot, Pancoran, Kuningan, Gunung Sahari, and Gatot Subroto.
According to the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, the use of AI in the ITS NOC can increase traffic efficiency at road intersections by up to 15 to 20 percent. During the first three months of using this technology, the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency reported that there had been a decrease in vehicle queues at around 20 intersections.
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The Future of Congestion in Jakarta
With further development plans, the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency plans to install artificial intelligence technology at 40 more intersections this year. The aim is to reduce congestion levels by 48 percent by 2023. To support this, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has allocated a budget of IDR 130 billion.
The application of AI technology is not just about managing traffic lights, but also prioritizing public transportation routes such as TransJakarta. This means that the AI ??system will give priority green lights to public transport vehicles, increasing efficiency and comfort for public transport passengers.
With these steps, Jakarta hopes to reduce congestion and increase mobility for its citizens. Artificial intelligence technology has become an important ally in efforts to address chronic traffic problems in Indonesia’s capital, paving the way for a smoother and more efficient future.
source: Indonesia.go.id
