Traffic Congestion Reduction at Airport Arrival Terminals: A Case Study of Pick-Up Zone Optimization at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport

Abstract

This study examines traffic congestion occurring at the arrival terminal pick-up zone of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport, one of Indonesia’s major airports operated by PT Angkasa Pura I. Congestion in landside areas, particularly at passenger pick-up zones, has become a recurring operational issue affecting traffic flow and service efficiency. The objective of this research is to assess the optimization level of the arrival terminal pick-up zone and to analyze its relationship with traffic congestion conditions in accordance with applicable airport regulations. A descriptive qualitative research approach was employed, supported by quantitative correlation analysis, to examine the relationship between the pick-up zone management (variable X) and congestion reduction (variable Y). Data were collected through direct observations, structured interviews, passenger questionnaires, document analysis, and literature review. The results indicate a very strong and reliable correlation between the two variables, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9, demonstrating that effective pick-up zone management significantly influences congestion reduction. The findings reveal that current congestion is largely attributed to improper lane utilization and underuse of available space within the pick-up zone. The study concludes that restoring lane configurations in accordance with operational standards and optimizing unused areas within the pick-up zone can substantially reduce congestion levels. These results have important implications for airport landside traffic management, suggesting that systematic spatial optimization can enhance operational efficiency and improve passenger accessibility at arrival terminals.