The government’s plan to turn the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) into a futuristic smart city is apparently not just talk. The latest update reveals that the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) will begin testing several smart vehicle projects, including rail-less trains, in the IKN in July 2024.
Deputy Head of Green and Digital Transformation at the Nusantara Capital City Authority, Mohammed Ali Berawi, stated that at least three types of smart vehicles will undergo testing before the 79th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony is held in the IKN.
“The IKN Nusantara Capital City Authority aims to conduct trials in the smart transportation sector, including autonomous vehicles, autonomous rail transit, and advanced air mobility in July 2024,” he explained in an official statement quoted on Monday (6/5/2024).
Ali further elaborated that the trial plan is part of the implementation of IKN development as a smart city, based on green and sustainable principles. The development of infrastructure, as a critical sector, will be carried out to improve the city’s operational performance and the quality of life of its residents.
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In line with this trial plan, OIKN delegates visited the Port of Long Beach as part of the Smart City Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) activities in the United States for discussions.
“Nusantara will implement an intelligent transportation system [ITS] to improve efficiency and safety in mobility,” he added.
It is worth noting that previously, the Chairman of the Task Force for Infrastructure Development of IKN from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), Danis H. Sumadilaga, revealed that the government plans to conduct trials for rail-less trains this year.
Danis explained that the construction of rail-less trains in the IKN will be coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).
“So, it is planned by the Ministry of Transportation and it’s called ART. So, this train will not use a driver and its rails will not be physical rails, but magnets or sensors. We are asked to accompany the Ministry of Transportation because it will pass through the roads that we are preparing,” said Danis.
Danis revealed that the trial process is planned to be conducted in the West National Axis area of IKN with a track length of 4 to 5 kilometers (km).
The forthcoming introduction of rail-less trains in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), with trial runs slated to begin in July 2024, marks a significant step towards modernizing transportation infrastructure. This initiative not only underscores IKN’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies but also signals a pivotal shift towards sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.
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