Noise regulation of KRL commuterline in Indonesia: A critical review

Abstract

KRL Commuterline is an electric commuter rail system serving the area of Greater Jakarta, Indonesia, and operated by a subsidiary of state-owned enterprise. However, there are known shortcomings in the current noise regulation of KRL Commuterline. This study hence attempts to address the problem in question "Does the noise regulation of KRL Commuterline signify a switch to prevent growths of settlements around railroad tracks? or is it yet another policy with no clear scientific justification?" The question is addressed by conducting literature reviews on scholarly literature and applicable regulations related to noises produced by KRL Commuterline. This study seeks to determine policy insufficiencies in the ministerial decision (Kepmen) of the State Minister of Environment, Indonesia, no. KEP-48/MENLH/11/1996 on Noise Level Standards, the Provincial Regulation (Perda) of West Java no. 11/2006 on Air Pollution Control, the Act 23/2007 on Railroad System, and the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) no. 54/2008 on Spatial Planning for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Puncak and Cianjur. This study discovers losses suffered by residents living around railroads. Then, this work identifies critical points for a successful implementation of the noise regulation of KRL Commuterline to reduce the impacts of produced noise on surrounding populations.