Train Accident Prompts Legislator to Propose CCTV Installation at Every Level Crossing

Member of Commission V of the DPR from the PKB faction, Sudjatmiko, has proposed improvements to the railway safety system in the wake of the train collision incident with a KRL at Bekasi Timur Station. Sudjatmiko believes that visual technology is needed in the driver’s cabin to monitor track conditions up to a distance of 1,000-2,000 metres.

This was stated by Sudjatmiko during a discussion event themed ‘Train Accident in Bekasi Timur’ at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (30/4/2026). Sudjatmiko said that currently, drivers only rely on the naked eye and information from the station control system.

“I have also proposed that the driver’s cabin can visually know and monitor on screen 1,000 to 2,000 metres. Now, what can be seen is only the control from the station control system, but the driver cannot know visually, only with the naked eye,” he said.

According to him, with train speeds of 60-100 km/h, the braking distance can reach 600 metres to 1,000 metres. Therefore, he believes that the ability to monitor track conditions from a long distance is crucial to anticipate potential accidents.

“The hope is that it can be done with technology that is not too expensive, just connected to CCTV at every level crossing and station, so the driver can access a view of 1,000 to 2,000 metres ahead with that monitor,” he stated.

Sudjatmiko also urged a comprehensive evaluation of the national transport safety system. This includes, he said, the need for improvements to the condition of level crossings.

“So level crossings are not just the railway tracks, the road tracks also need to be improved. Sometimes the crossings, the roads, the asphalt, the concrete are not good, becoming uneven,” he said.

“So drivers of two-wheeled, four-wheeled motor vehicles and others are disturbed because the roads are damaged, the crossings are often damaged due to the shock load. Also integration of security systems,” he added.

In addition, he believes that flyovers and underpasses can be built, especially in areas with high train travel frequency.

“The long-term solution is that we must build as many flyovers and underpasses as possible, especially those with high headway and high rail line headway, they must be made into flyovers. There’s no other way. If the headway is high, trains below, especially in Jabodetabek every 5 minutes there’s a train. Well, that should already use flyovers and underpasses,” he explained.