Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is examining rubber composite-based rail pad technology to enhance train transportation safety, following a crash in Bekasi Timur. The collision between the Argo Bromo Anggrek train and a KRL Commuter Line on April 27, 2026, killed 15 people. BRIN Deputy Head Amarulla Octavian highlighted the agency's contributions to rail infrastructure research.
Jakarta - The Argo Bromo Anggrek train crashed into a KRL Commuter Line at Bekasi Timur Station, West Java, on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. WIB. The accident resulted in 15 deaths, with all victims identified at hospitals in Bekasi and Jakarta.
BRIN Deputy Head Amarulla Octavian addressed the issue on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Jakarta. "We have contributed to the design and research of train systems, including LRT trains and those on the Makassar–Parepare line in South Sulawesi. Additionally, research has been conducted on materials like rubber composite rail pads to improve safety and lifespan of rail infrastructure," he said.
BRIN is also developing train crossing safety systems that integrate automatically with train drivers. The agency is studying the impact of magnetic fields from locomotives on nearby vehicles.
Octavian stressed the need to neutralize magnetic fields produced by the locomotive's electrical systems. "The large magnetic field is generated by the approaching train... we may need to research how to neutralize the magnetic field around rail tracks so it does not disrupt passing road traffic," he stated.
