Impact of the MRT Jakarta on Congestion: Evidence from a Before-After, Treatment-Control Evaluation
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2026
Subject Area
place - asia, place - urban, mode - mass transit, mode - subway/metro, policy - congestion, technology - geographic information systems, land use - impacts
Keywords
quasi-experimental, impact evaluation, public transit, Jakarta, congestion
Abstract
Across urban and metropolitan regions worldwide, developing a new transit system is often considered an effective way to address traffic congestion. The Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), the first subway system in Indonesia, aims to achieve that goal. Using a before-after, treatment-control evaluation design, we estimate the impact of the MRT Jakarta on corridor-level congestion using data derived from Google Maps and accessed through its application program interface. Results from difference-in-differences regressions indicate a considerably modest and largely localized short-term congestion reduction impact where improved roadway performance was observed mainly along the city’s central business district corridor.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by SAGE, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Widita, A., Welch, T., Rukmana, D., & Diwangkari, A. (2026). Impact of the MRT Jakarta on congestion: evidence from a Before-After, Treatment-Control evaluation. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 46(1), 11-24.
