Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Chinese-made autonomous tram TOT CRRC Qingdao Sifang has been deemed unfit for operation in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara Capital (IKN), following a trial phase conducted from September 12 to October 22.
Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation of the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN), Mohammed Ali Berawi, revealed three significant findings from the Proof of Concept (PoC) evaluation team:
- Autonomous Mode Unreliable: The tram failed to operate autonomously, requiring a driver to remain at the wheel and ready to take manual control. This reflects the manufacturer’s lack of confidence in the system’s reliability.
- Underdeveloped Automation Features: The autonomous system lacks programmable route control for speed and braking across different routes. Specific scenarios requested for testing required manual adjustments on-site.
- Ineffective Autonomous Braking System: The tram’s braking system did not automatically reduce speed or warn of obstacles, necessitating manual intervention in emergencies. Furthermore, the system lacks bidirectional operation capabilities.
Despite these setbacks, the Directorate General of Highways (Bina Marga) of the Ministry of Public Works affirmed that the existing road design in IKN would not be revised.
Rachman Arief Dienaputra, Director General of Bina Marga, stated that the road network was designed with the flexibility to support multiple transportation modes, including manual and autonomous systems. “The infrastructure will remain adaptable to accommodate ART operations in both manual and autonomous modes in the future,” he assured.
While the autonomous tram’s deployment is delayed, authorities remain optimistic about its eventual readiness, emphasizing that the infrastructure is prepared for future advancements.
