Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Management and Regulation of the Rail Transport Sector in Indonesia: Perspective From the Industry 4.0 Concept

Abstract

Objective: The research aims to uncover the causes of train accidents in Indonesia beyond those identified by experts and proposes solutions for inclusion in the regulations and standard operating procedures of the Indonesian Railways Company. Theoretical Framework: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), operating under the UN Economic and Social Council since its establishment in 1947, has introduced the Industry 4.0 concept, titled 'Increasing the Competitiveness of Transportation between Europe and Asia: European Union Rail R&I. This concept incorporates three crucial indicators known as ACT (Aging, Climate Change, and Technology), aligned with the Railway Sustainable Development Goals. Method: This research employs a qualitative approach, gathering data through in-depth interviews using purposive sampling. Interview reviews are presented in the results section. The study involved 28 participants, focusing on the cities of Palembang and Lampung, situated on the tip of the island of Sumatra, bordering the island of Java. Results and Conclusions: The study identified seven themes for inclusion: The development of Railways in Indonesia; Organizational strengths and weaknesses; Human resources; Infrastructure; Operational aspects; Causal factors in train accidents, and Future solutions and contributions to regulation. These were then simplified into three themes following UNECE guidelines. Notably, the main issues with freight trains, primarily used for coal transportation, include an inadequate number of carriages, damage to rails and train sleepers, and excessive cargo loads, leading to frequent train derailments and accidents. The law regulates general provisions for rail freight transportation, but violations are common, and sanctions are minimal due to the state-owned nature of the managing company. Research Implications: This study suggests measures to enhance regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Indonesian Railways Company, including adapting regulations and SOPs to improve the operational safety of goods trains. This involves modernizing signaling systems and addressing human errors, particularly during night shifts. Recommendations also cover optimizing single-path and double-path routes, proposing regulations for the adaptation of automatic control systems, and improving the Grade of Automation (GOA). Ensuring the safety of personnel, especially operators and machinists, is emphasized. Originality/Value: This research explores the paradigm shift within Indonesia Railways, transitioning from GOA 0 to GOA 1. Anticipated to significantly impact the safety of goods (coal) trains, this study offers profound insight into the evolution of transportation governance for freight transport by rail. Both the government and Indonesia Railways can consider integrating these findings into regulations or SOPs, despite facing challenges such as funding constraints and the high cost associated with upgrading to GOA 2 infrastructure.