Jakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the use of an intelligent transportation system is the right solution to overcome the challenges posed by increasing urbanization.

He made the remarks at the opening of the 19th Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Asia-Pacific Forum 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Sumadi noted that the global population is growing at a rapid pace, with the majority of people living in urban areas. It is estimated that two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities by 2050.

"This presents serious challenges for transportation in the form of traffic jams, accidents, carbon gas pollution," he said.

"And the intelligent transportation system ITS can overcome this problem if it uses various technologies," he added.

According to the minister, smart transportation can help in efforts to address major transportation challenges and climate change and keep pace with technological advances.

Intelligent transportation systems allow for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the movement of people and goods.

"This morning we, ministers, ambassadors, international representatives and also several regional governments held a high-level round table discussion to share experiences in achieving the vision of sustainable urban mobility," Sumadi said.

The meeting was important and resulted in the Jakarta Declaration, which contains several important ideas that deserve joint attention and action, he informed.

"Firstly, it is said that it is very important for us to encourage connectivity in the era of digital-based transportation. This requires the development of policies and strategies that consider the diversity, needs, and challenges of each country," he said.

Furthermore, the development of inclusive land transportation infrastructure needs to be encouraged by implementing a smart transportation system so as to ensure access to facilities and inclusiveness for all segments of society.

"Integration of various modes of transportation is also a priority by creating efficient and sustainable transportation. In the Asia-Pacific, we can advance multimodal transportation solutions," he added.

Furthermore, Sumadi said that his ministry welcomes new solutions and initiatives at the global, regional, and national levels to accelerate joint progress toward achieving sustainable development targets by 2030.

According to the minister, to achieve the goal, partnerships and commitment must be prioritized to improve and accelerate the implementation of smart transportation, creative financing mechanisms, and strategies.

Involving many stakeholders is key to funding the development of smart and sustainable transportation, he said.

"Improving the regulatory framework is also important. This can be achieved through regulatory support. And Mr. President (Joko Widodo) always provides support for us by helping him to make better, easier, and faster regulations," the minister added.

Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that the implementation of a smart transportation system in the country is part of an effort to equalize and improve the transportation system to make it safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

"Efforts to equalize and increase access to a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation system for the community certainly need to be the focus of attention," he stressed.

"This can be achieved by utilizing technological developments in the transportation sector, one of which is through an intelligent transportation system," he added.

Efforts to implement an intelligent transportation system, the Vice President said, also need to consider the rising population and the increasingly complex global challenges faced by the world's population.

He expressed the hope that intelligent transportation systems will not only be the answer to the increasing mobility of urban communities, but also help reduce congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption, as well as improve safety.

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