BRIN Accelerates Railway Research to Strengthen Transportation in Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing various railway technologies that cover aspects of facilities, infrastructure, and governance as an effort to support improvements in transportation performance and regional growth.
BRIN Head Arif Satria, in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, explained that the railway research conducted does not only focus on technical aspects but also encompasses institutional and operational dimensions.
“At the very least, there are three types of research: the first is research on social and institutional aspects. The second is passenger research, and the third relates to the environment,” he said.
Arif stated that they are pushing to enhance national engineering capabilities, both in engines and train carriages. This is done so that the technology transfer process can occur more quickly and effectively.
Meanwhile, Arif continued, in terms of infrastructure, BRIN is developing a structural health monitoring system for railway bridges. This technology is important given the number of ageing railway bridges.
He explained that BRIN is also developing materials such as rubber-based rail pads that have undergone various technical tests. This innovation is expected to increase the stability and operational safety of trains.
From the governance side, BRIN is also developing studies related to the management and integration of transportation systems, including in urban areas. This role positions BRIN as a research and development institution that supports the government, state-owned enterprises, and industry in accelerating the development of the railway sector.
“This can be one aspect of our plan to speed up the infrastructure and railway industry development process,” said Arif Satria.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), stated that the development of railway networks is now focused outside Java Island.
He mentioned that this step is a directive from President Prabowo Subianto as part of the National Priority Work Programme (PKPN).
“The President’s grand vision is to ensure that Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi do not fall too far behind. By building an integrated railway network, we can significantly reduce logistics costs and increase competitiveness,” AHY said.