High-speed train research at NCSTT is strategically oriented toward providing efficient, safe, and accommodating rail transportation systems in Indonesia, particularly in areas with growing operational demands. NCSTT has worked on high-speed train development, such as the Kereta Cepat Merah Putih (KCMP) Makassar–Parepare research program. The KCMP Makassar–Parepare program is a national railway engineering initiative led by the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in collaboration with PT INKA. The project aims to develop domestically engineered train technology while strengthening national capability in railway system design, analysis, and validation.
The research scope covers the development of a modern trainset platform adapted to Indonesia’s operational environment. The core engineering activities include structural design and strength evaluation of the carbody, bogie and suspension system development, aerodynamic assessment, and analysis of traction and braking performance. The program also examines system integration aspects such as onboard control systems, operational safety architecture, and performance optimization to ensure compatibility with national railway infrastructure and standards.
Figure 1. The high-speed train prototype designs
Methodologically, the project applies a multidisciplinary engineering approach combining computational simulation, preliminary engineering design, and subsystem prototyping. Load response, ride stability, and fatigue performance under operational conditions are evaluated through structural and dynamic analyses. The research framework also incorporates validation planning, including functional testing strategies and performance benchmarking against established railway engineering practices.
The achieved progress by far incorporates the formation of integrated research teams, the development of conceptual and preliminary engineering designs, and initial modeling and simulation work. Early design results focus on the feasibility assessment of domestically developed high-speed or high-performance rail platforms, with attention to structural integrity, efficiency, and safety. The program also functions as a research and education platform, supporting student involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control systems, and materials engineering.
In parallel, the initiative promotes technology transfer and industrial participation by encouraging the use of domestic engineering resources and manufacturing capabilities. The long-term roadmap emphasizes incremental technology readiness development through design refinement, subsystem prototyping, and validation activities leading toward functional demonstration. Through this engineering-driven process, the project aims to establish foundational expertise in train design, system integration, and applied railway research within Indonesia’s national transportation technology ecosystem.