Reflections on the First Friday of 2024
Tauhid Nur Azhar
Earlier today, we were shocked by the news of a train accident. It happened near our house, specifically in Cicalengka. Amidst the sudden surge of countless questions, the first thing we can do together is to pray. The best prayer for the victims and their families, passengers, and train attendants who certainly did not expect to experience a disaster. Hopefully, we will always be blessed with safety and health and the ability to benefit each other.
To find out the cause and circumstances of why and how, it is wise if we wait together for the results of the investigation by the official institution, namely the National Transportation Safety Committee of the Republic of Indonesia according to Perpres No 102 of 2022.
In an academic context, of course, a study of the events that cause accidents can be discussed scientifically. In every incident and transportation accident, there are series of processes that need to be analyzed at each stage. Ideally, the conclusion of the cause or hypothesis related to the occurrence of the accident should be issued in the form of a final investigation report issued by the National Transportation Safety Committee/KNKT.
In the investigation process, of course, all elements that are part of the safety system construction that are intended to prevent the occurrence of unexpected events will be elaborated.
Usually, there is a complex process that culminates in the final result of the accident. And it could be the accumulation of many factors with varying degrees of contribution. There are aspects of technology, work environment, human factors, and certain conditions that are classified as force majeure.
Early symptoms can be seen at the level of compliance with safety regulations. Therefore, compliance becomes the main element in the safety aspect.
Minor symptoms of negligence towards the rules, minor violations in the maintenance process, lack of knowledge due to work ethics and demotivation, all can become contributing factors.
All of that needs to be sifted and selected. Taken care of and cultivated continuously, until we begin to be able to get and collect fact puzzles that still need to be arranged in a holistic and integrative investigative framework.
Why is that? Because in every accident, there are many factors and elements that are involved and need to be identified and analyzed thoroughly and systematically.
In general, the aspect of safety is certainly the mainstream in the operation of transportation modes (massive).
Learning from the results of the investigation of the PLH case or the KA accident in Ketanggungan Brebes for example, the safety direction conveyed by the KNKT has been followed up with the application of the interlocking system on crossings that aims to prevent the occurrence of accidents in the form of collisions between lines.
The safety system is delegated in the form of infrastructure, technology, and strict SOPs. For example, if the track is declared safe and can be passed or opened, the hierarchy of decision-making is clear and firm. The block in the interlocking system based on mechanical signals on single tracks can only be opened by the PPKA station Hulu and Hilir as well as PK at OCC.
A backup system is also available to anticipate various abnormal conditions marked by a malfunction system. There is an alternate option that has all been trained and given as part of professional capacity development.
On the other hand, the improvement of the safety aspect from the technology side continues to be carried out. The crossing at the PLH power plant is part of the double track improvement project and is equipped with an interlocking system made by local people, the LEN Railway System’, namely the SIL Safe-4000 with the Computer Based Interlocking/CBI platform.
The concept is in line with the concept of modern train control based on communication-based train control or CBTC. Of course, there are many conditions that become prerequisites for the most sophisticated technology to run according to expectations, compliance with the system and capacity and capability of resources. There are also force majeure factors that are difficult to anticipate and are beyond the range of control, such as natural disasters or escalation of certain social conditions. Although it cannot be denied that the human factor remains the main element behind every technology implementation.
There are also several facts that need attention. Before this morning’s incident, yesterday the KAI online ticketing application system, Access by KAI, experienced a malfunction (down). Then as has been explained a little above, the computer and communication-based train control system also uses a connection mechanism for data transfer. In the future, of course, we should also be more vigilant regarding the security aspect of the system which may cause interference with the safety system (safety) of transportation mode operations.
Let’s wait together for the results of the official institution’s investigation which has been ordered to investigate the cause of the transportation accident, the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). Hopefully the results can become a guide in the process of improvement and quality enhancement of service, especially in terms of safety and security.
For example, if there are indications of human error or technology error, procedural violations such as signals or in and out, and various other possibilities, then in addition to there being people who are responsible in a process, there will also be layers of causes that should be able to examine their roles in the construction of cause and effect.
For example, in the process of setting the journey or the operation controller technology suspected of having an indication of error, what makes it experience conditions of incompetence and functional insufficiency in carrying out its duties?
Are there distracting factors in the work process? Is there pressure in carrying out the profession? Do those involved have problems outside the profession? Is the technology not compatible with human resource capacity? Is there a lack of professional knowledge and skills? Is there a need to retrain situational awareness conditions? And so on. Again, this is an assumption related to the theory of malfunction and compliance in the context of human factors. Not to mention if we study deeper about technology, transition period, knowledge acquisition, human to machine communication and many other aspects.
If we try to analyze in cases where there are dynamic changes in the work environment, mental fatigue, and poor physical condition due to ergonomic factors, for example, human factor errors may be triggered.
However, it also needs to be considered that in the era of technology has begun to substitute the role of humans, so technical errors or mistakes that are triggered by things that are technical in nature, of course, can also contribute to the safety aspect in a system operation.
Another wisdom that is also very important and can become a lesson learn like the PLH/Argo Semeru and Wilis accident cases in Kalimenur or the Japan Airlines A-350 burning in Haneda, as well as the big earthquake in Ishikawa is the need for mastery and training related to disaster management.
If we study in the context of emergency management, specifically in handling victims in the field, then the concept of proper first aid such as BHD/basic life support, as well as management handling at the location should become a training material for public services in the context of disaster readiness.
In the condition of massive disaster and access and limited rescue resources, the concept of triage can be prioritized, where victims can be grouped based on their condition. This concept allows rescuers to provide assistance effectively based on priorities and opportunities.
Hopefully the various events that have occurred in the past few days can become a lesson for us together to continue to improve, learn, and prepare ourselves better.
Finally, once again let’s pray together for the best for all victims and their families, and for us all to always be in the protection of the Almighty.
