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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government had previously developed an Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) transportation mode that was planned to operate in the Capital City of Nusantara area or IKN, East Kalimantan.
Budi Karya, the Minister of Transportation under President Joko Widodo's administration, referred to autonomous trains as a new technological leap in Indonesia's transportation world.
This mode of transportation operates with batteries and is guided by road markings equipped with sensors. This vehicle is touted as effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil energy.
However, after running a trial for about two months, assessment results and evaluations by the IKN Authority (OIKN) found that the railless train, especially the autonomous system, could not function well in IKN. Therefore, this autonomous railless train is said to be returned to China.
Here are some facts about the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) transportation mode.
Not functioning well
OIKN's Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation, Mohammed Ali Berawi, explained that based on assessments and evaluations, it was found that the railless train was said to not function well, especially in the autonomous system.
He revealed that this was in line with discussions between OIKN and various ministries and institutions under Presidential Instruction Number 2 of 2024 concerning Support for Accelerating Trial and Proof of Concept for Autonomous Trains in the Capital City of Nusantara, OIKN is responsible for implementing and evaluating the railless train in IKN.
To be returned to China
Ali Berawi mentioned that considering the results showing that the train had not operated well, they would ask Norinco to return it to China.
The train resulted from cooperation between OIKN and Norinco, with the participation of CRRC, a leading railway equipment manufacturer from China.
"If not, in accordance with the MoU agreement for PoC, we will ask Norinco to return the trainset in IKN to China," Ali said as quoted from Antara, Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
No loss to the country
The head of the Communications and Public Information Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, Budi Rahardjo, said they would have no problem with OIKN's evaluation finding that the autonomous train trial did not meet the standards.
"If the ART is considered not meeting the evaluation standards from OIKN, there is no problem because the country is also not at a loss," said Budi in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, as quoted from Antara.
Budi stated that the country would not incur losses from the autonomous train trial in IKN because the ART vendor covered the trial costs. "We all agree that we are looking for the best solution for IKN," he said.
Environmentally friendly mode of transportation
Previously, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated that ART is an environmentally friendly mass transportation mode in the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN).
"We are optimistic that autonomous trains can operate well in IKN and serve as a model for other cities in Indonesia in implementing smart and environmentally friendly mass transportation," said the Minister in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
The autonomous trains will operate using electricity sourced from batteries. This is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage, aligning with IKN's concept and principles as a smart, green, and sustainable city area.
"The autonomous trains will be charged after the morning and before the afternoon peak hours. We ensure that the charging positions of the autonomous trains will not disrupt movement and the surrounding environment because they do not produce noise or disturbance," said the Minister.
Affordable cost
President Jokowi stated that one advantage of using autonomous trains is their relatively low cost. As autonomous trains are not based on rails and can use existing roads, there is no need for infrastructure development.
"The cost of an autonomous train is approximately around IDR 70 billion per unit. If we want to build an MRT, the cost per kilometer is around IDR 2.3 trillion. If we want to build an LRT, it is approximately IDR 700 billion per kilometer. That's the difference. The issue now is almost all cities have narrow roads. So not all cities can use ART," said Jokowi as reported by Antara on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Walhi criticizes the environmental claims of ART in IKN
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) doubted the environmental claims attached to the railless autonomous train that will operate in the core areas of IKN. "Even for moving people, families, and development, the emissions are already high," said the Campaign Manager for Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Dwi Sawung to Tempo, Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
He considered the planning for the IKN autonomous train immature. According to Sawung, the government has not explained the railless train project's target consumers. The transportation is likely for employee mobility and access to residential and office areas, but it could also be for other needs.
"If it's unclear, it cannot be claimed to have lower emissions," he said.
Rail construction completed
Budi Karya said the road construction, which also serves as the railless Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) track in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), has been completed.
"Thanks to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing for completing the construction of the West Side National Axis Road in the Core Area of the IKN, one of them for the ART track. Hopefully, with the existing track, ART can be tested in August," said Budi in Penajam Paser Utara on Monday, June 3, 2024.
NI KADEK TRISNA CINTYA DEWI | DWI ARJANTO
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