Background

The implementation of the Law No. 32 year 2004 about local government has provided new perspective for area development model in Indonesia. The Law provides larger freedom for regions in cultivating its own area with the expectation of achieving optimum development based on each region’s characteristics and specialization.

One of the advantages of the regulation is that regions will compete in deciding what the best for their region is and is not ‘dictated’ by the central authority on how to govern their own region. The practices of region expansion are one of the consequences, on the light of the logical thinking that the smaller region will be easier to be developed than the bigger and unnaccessible ones. Far from the political and cultural reasons, such regional development will give the optimum result of regional development.

Another important consideration in the scope of regional expansion is the existing condition provides a bigger space for good mobility and accessibility due to the closer distance or even the more globalized information. Global mobility becomes an interesting phenomenon to be learned and anticipated in order that it could provide its greatest advantage. The substantial movement of people and goods intern/among countries becomes an unavoidable reality. Indonesia as a part of the global community should adapt to the change. In this case, the role of transportation is very important.

Several issues discussed and still in the area of concerns for transportation professionals in Indonesia as the global mobility progressing, are: significant increase in the number of travellers and cargo, a shift in the tendency of travel pattern, the demand for quality and variety of travel, innovation in transportation and information technology, sustainable transport and optimum land use planning.

As global mobility becomes a global issue, effective and efficient strategy(ies) ought to be envisaged at all levels. Government, public sectors and the stakeholders hold essential role to create an adequate transport system as one important tier in global mobility. Two implications need to be anticipated: should a nation not participate in the wave of global mobility, its image will diminish and further may affect its economy. In contrast, if a purposely-prepared strategy is put forward responding to the growing needs for greater mobility; a country may enjoy the fruit of emerging trend for travels.

Gadjah Mada University as a largest university in Indonesia owning a large number of departments, laboratories and centers supported by qualified researchers from various disciplines forms a strong base to challenge the complex development of transport sectors in support of the global mobility. Combining and channeling such potentials will not only providing opportunities to collaborate expertises of diverse areas but also enabling them to contribute in the development of transportation sciences and practices in Indonesia as well as international level. Responding to more complex transport problems now and in the future, Gadjah Mada University has established Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies.

The Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (PUSTRAL) Gadjah Mada University is a research center for transportation and regional development. Its commitment is supported by excellent quality of researches from various disciplinary which are the main assets to answer the problems and challenges in transportation and regional development.

Vision

Establishing a strong and professional regional field research center (including transportation aspect) which is professional, independent, tough, and based on a multi disciplinary approach toward creating changes in national and international level.

Mission

  • Developing transportation sciences at Gadjah Mada University and Indonesia based on a multi disciplinary approach to take part in solving transportation problems.
  • Utilizing researchers capacities by maximizing their intellectual capabilities and their understandings in inter and multi disciplinary approach.
  • Improving researchers’ professionalism to maximize research results for the benefits of related stakeholders.
  • Bringing Gadjah Mada University to be a leading university in multi disciplinary research based institution and to foster its basis toward university autonomy.

Objectives

  • Conducting researches on regional development, including related sectors inside
  • Taking part in transportation related researches including business, management, institutional, social, economics, regulations and engineering
  • Developing transport management strategies based on available modern approaches and appropriate technologies
  • Promoting development of transport systems and management, hardwares and softwares leading to creating more business opportunities