How Effective is Car Free Day in Improving Urban Air Quality? A Case Study of Jakarta

Abstract:

The Jakarta Municipal Bylaw on Air Pollution Control 2005 mandates a Car Free Day to be implemented once a month in different locations in Jakarta to improve urban air quality in assigned location. The bylaw is a novelty in urban management policy scheme and is met with both positive and negative response. Motorists argue that Car Free Day will only exacerbate traffic congestions on impacted road network, while hopefuls are convinced that it will promote sustainable urban transport by educating the population to be less dependent on motor vehicles as it reduce emission even for a mere day. The debate was not facilitated by scientific evidence. A computer aided evaluation on the impact of the Car Free Day will include traffic impact assessment and emission inventories on impacted urban road network. An assessment on social benefit of Car Free Day will supplement already well orchestrated campaign. Continuous evaluation on Car Free Day will facilitate incremental steps in promoting sustainable urban transport and, therefore improving urban air quality.

Keywords: Car Free Day, Traffic Impact Assessment, Emission inventory, Jakarta