Minister Of Transportation: Smart Transportation Systems Can Overcome Congestion And Pollution Problems

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi (Photo: between)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that the smart transportation system offers efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the movement of people and goods. In fact, it can also overcome congestion to pollution.

This was conveyed by Budi in the Smart Transportation Forum or Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Asia Pacific 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Tuesday, May 28.

Budi said, this forum has an important role to play in overcoming various challenges, such as rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological advances. Given, the world's population is growing very rapidly, in 2050 it is estimated that two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban areas.

This will present various challenges for the transportation sector, such as congestion, accidents, hampered goods transport services, to carbon gas pollution. Therefore, in my opinion, the smart transportation system is able to overcome these problems by utilizing technology," he said.

Budi also said that today there had been a discussion on the high level round table which was attended by a number of parties, such as transportation ministers from several countries, ambassadors from a number of countries, government representatives, international organizations, and the private sector.

Furthermore, Budi said the discussion had produced several important ideas that should be of concern and joint action, including the need to encourage regional connectivity in the digital-based transportation era, encourage the development of inclusive land transportation facilities and infrastructure, as well as the integration of various modes of transportation.

Therefore, Budi welcomes new solutions and initiatives at the global, regional and national levels in order to accelerate joint progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Target.

"To achieve that common goal, we must prioritize partnerships and commitments to improve and accelerate the implementation of smart transportation systems and explore creative financing mechanisms and strategies that involve many stakeholders," he explained.

Then, the Minister of Transportation also emphasized the importance of improving the regulatory framework and increasing the capacity of Human Resources (HR) in order to achieve smart and sustainable urban transportation. Other points that are no less important, continued Budi, all stakeholders need to continue to share knowledge and experience so that this shared vision can be realized.

Budi also appreciated the Jakarta Initiative on Sustainable and Intelligent Urban Mobility initiated by ITS Indonesia. This initiative is a form of ITS support in realizing urban mobility that is beneficial for the economy, useful for the community, and environmentally friendly.

To realize sustainable smart transportation, Budi said that the involvement of all parties in the transportation sector is needed.

He also encouraged the creation of useful discussions, valuable partnerships, and follow-up plans, which will ultimately transform the world's transportation system, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

"Hopefully this forum can inspire us to encourage the vision of sustainable smart transportation throughout Asia Pacific and its surroundings," concluded Budi.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said the smart transportation system is expected not only to be the answer to the increasing mobility of urban communities, but is also able to reduce congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, as well as improve safety.

Ma'ruf appreciated this forum. The reason is, it has united the government, the private sector, and academics to share knowledge, experience, and innovation related to technology as well as smart transportation systems.

The intelligent transportation system has been the focus of developing global transportation technology in recent years. All countries are working to continue to develop a more efficient, effective, user-friendly, and sustainable transportation system, "explained Ma'ruf.