Minister Of Transportation Calls Autonomous Vehicles The Main Pillar Of The Future Transportation System

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said transportation transformation in the digital era would be increasingly influenced by autonomous technology. In fact, said Budi, technology-based autonomous vehicles will become the main pillar of the transportation system in the future.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation in his remarks at the Indonesia Electric Motor Show 2024 organized by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Friday, August 9.

We have seen innovations that adopt autonomous technology at various levels in Indonesia. In IKN, there will be autonomous trams or ART (Autonomous Rail Transit), besides that there will also be the Jabodebek LRT, Soekarno-Hatta Skytrain. In the future, autonomous vehicles will become the main pillar in our transportation system," he said in an official statement, Friday, August 9.

The presence of autonomous vehicles and advanced technology electric vehicles, continued Budi, is very good to stimulate the advancement of transportation technology in the country. For this reason, all parties need to prepare themselves with the presence of autonomous vehicles.

Furthermore, Budi said that the Ministry of Transportation itself is developing regulations related to the implementation of autonomous trams, which include various aspects ranging from infrastructure, traffic management, to human resources and financing aspects.

"In terms of regulating autonomous vehicles, we have Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation. Of course, this regulation will still change related to autonomous implementation," he said.

Budi admits that drafting regulations regarding autonomous vehicles is not easy. This is because Indonesia must follow the example of its implementation from developed countries, and adapt it to domestic conditions.

"This autonomous vehicle regulation is not easy, because we have to record what has been implemented in developed countries, then formulate it into regulatory form," he said.

In the future, Budi hopes that Indonesia will not only become a user, but will be able to become a producer of autonomous vehicles. The reason is, the prospect of development and income from this vehicle is very large.

Based on McKinsey's research data, by 2035, the autonomous vehicle industry globally is estimated to create revenues of 300 billion to 400 billion US dollars. This vehicle is considered to be able to generate large revenues because it is more efficient in terms of operational costs, also safer because of the lack of human error.

"Let's continue to study, discuss and prepare ourselves because this autonomous vehicle will later become an inseparable part of our daily activities," he said.