The Indonesian Road Development Association (HPJI), the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australia (REAA) and the International Road Federation (IRF) will hold an International Conference on roads on March 22-24 in Nusa Dua, Bali. The 15th REAA Conference 2017 & IRF Road Global Summit this year raised the theme of Road for Better Living; Make Roads Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable.

In a press conference today, Tuesday (7/3) in Jakarta, REAA President Hermanto Dardak said the theme would discuss cost-effective and sustainable roads that could benefit the government in terms of cost-savings, and the community in terms of environmental improvement , access and security of road and bridge construction.

"Topics that will be discussed by conference participants include road safety, smart transportation systems, green construction, and also road financing," Hermanto said.

In this forum, participants will share experiences and best practices regarding road construction and handling. Participating countries that have confirmed will be present include Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Hermanto also stressed, the conference will discuss road construction not only in terms of construction, but also the function of the road network in regional development. According to him, later the Director Generals who oversee road construction will talk about what they have done to support regional development.

"They will share their experiences. Building roads must clearly have an output. Not only physical output, but also outputs to access to ports, industrial estates. In the future, not only outcome, but also impact, "he said.

Another issue which according to the President of REAA would be interesting to discuss at the international conference was regarding green construction. How the construction of roads affects the environment and the quality of people's lives. If in the past up to now there has been a known necessity regarding an Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) when it is going to road construction, now the road rating has been pioneered.

"Every road construction project is rated, so if you use material from a location near the project, then the value is good, then use recycled material or recycle again (value), good drainage, more value, the slope is handled better, you can point again. We will count it later. The good environmental value, can be platinum, gold, bronze. Everything is measured, what is the index, "explained Hermanto.

The 15th REAA Conference 2017 & IRF Road Global Summit are planned to be officially opened by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono. Hermanto hopes that this annual international forum will also be a vehicle for learning for young Indonesian engineers. (KompuBM)