The Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D, inaugurated Prof. Ir. R. Jachrizal Sumabrata, M.Sc. (Eng), Ph.D. as a Permanent Professor in the Field of Road Transportation Management Science, Faculty of Engineering (FT) UI, on Wednesday, November 6, at Balai Sidang, UI Depok Campus. He was inaugurated after delivering a scientific oration titled “Transformasi Manajemen Jalan untuk Masa Depan: Mewujudkan Konektivitas, Keselamatan, dan Keberlanjutan” (Road Management Transformation for the Future: Realizing Connectivity, Safety, and Sustainability).
Prof. Jachrizal said in his inaugural speech that sustainable road management that prioritizes connectivity, safety, and environmental sustainability needs to be implemented because roads are not only a means of transportation, but also the backbone of social and economic development of the community. By utilizing environmentally friendly technology and materials, and focusing on the transition to green infrastructure and electric vehicles, Indonesia will be able to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable road network.
To that end, through his research, Prof. Jachrizal recommends three road management strategies for planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation aimed at ensuring that road infrastructure functions optimally. The three strategies are infrastructure innovation in the form of physical design (pavement), regulation-based management, and certainty of safety and functional feasibility.
Road pavement is a critical aspect of road management. Good road management will periodically pay attention to pavement conditions to prevent road damage. Prof. Jachrizal’s research found that the use of Buton asphalt as a road material has been proven to reduce dependence on oil asphalt. The use of nano crumb rubber increases asphalt durability, provides rutting deformation protection, and extends pavement life. This solution is in line with the principle of sustainability to support more environmentally friendly and resilient infrastructure.
In addition to infrastructure, road safety is the main objective of road management. This is because Indonesia has an accident ratio of 57.84 per 100,000 residents based on data in the 2023 Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps Safety Portrait book. A total of 12 provinces have accident ratios above the national average, so more intensive handling is needed. Therefore, road safety management must ensure good road design and maintenance, as well as provide facilities for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
No less important, Prof. Jachrizal assessed that the evaluation of road functional feasibility needs to be considered in road management. Roads must be a safe, comfortable, and smooth transportation infrastructure. Routine maintenance and periodic audits can ensure that roads are in good condition. With the implementation of modern technology in road monitoring and maintenance, the efficiency and effectiveness of road functional feasibility evaluation can be improved.
In addition, road management needs to facilitate the transition from conventional vehicle systems (CVs) to fully automated and connected systems (CAVs). Electric vehicles offer solutions to pollution and transportation efficiency, but road infrastructure must support charging from renewable energy sources. In this case, policies are needed that can accommodate technological needs, such as radar and lidar for autonomous vehicle operations. The synergy between infrastructure and technology readiness is expected to encourage a more environmentally friendly transportation system.
“We need to remember that roads are not only a means of transportation, but also a public space that has a multifunctional role. Roads function as movement routes as well as economic, social, and cultural spaces. Therefore, it is important for us to design roads as inclusive public spaces. Through the right approach, we can create a balance between public interests, improve the quality of social interactions, and make roads a friendly space for all groups,” said Prof. Jachrizal.
He added that to achieve effective sustainable road management, sustainable road assessment is very important. This includes evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of existing roads. Thus, the necessary improvements and developments can be made so that the managed roads not only meet current needs but also consider the long-term impacts on society and the environment.
Prof. Jachrizal’s research on road management illustrates his interest in the field of transportation. In addition to this research, he also conducted other research, such as the Effect of High Recycled Aggregate Content in Hot Mix Asphalt on Volumetric and Skid Resistance Characteristics published in the Civil Engineering and Architecture journal in 2024; Factorial Experimental Analysis of Buton Natural Asphalt with Crumb Rubber in Asphalt Concrete Wearing Course (AC-WC) published in the same journal and year; and Improvement of Buton Rock Asphalt Performance by Adding Nano-Crumb Rubber and Waste Engine Oil published in the International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology journal in 2023.
