Journal of Railway Transportation and Technology

The Effect of Adding Corn Cob Inhibitor to Primer Paint as a Corrosion Retardant On Train Roofs (Mild Steel SS 400)

Akbar Zulkarnain — 2026-03-31

Corrosion is one of the main problems that can reduce the quality and service life of steel materials in the railway industry, especially on train roofs made of SS400 mild steel. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of adding natural inhibitors from corn cob ash to epoxy primer paint in inhibiting the rate of corrosion and increasing the adhesive strength of the paint. The inhibitor was made through a process of extracting silica from corn cob ash and mixing it into the primer paint at various concentrations. Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) testing was used to identify the silica content in the inhibitor, while testing was carried out on the adhesive strength using an adhesion tester and the corrosion rate using the weight loss test method in HNO₃ solution. The results showed that the addition of corn cob ash inhibitor formed a protective layer on the metal surface, improved paint adhesion, and significantly reduced the corrosion rate. This study demonstrates that the use of agricultural waste such as corn cobs as a natural inhibitor is an innovative, economical, and environmentally friendly solution for controlling corrosion in steel materials in the railway industry.

Analysis of Optimum Speed of ROLA Transportation with Flat Cars (GD 400910) on the Minimum Curve of the PPI Madiun Track Using Universal Mechanism Software

Dadang Sanjaya Atmaja — 2026-03-31

An innovative solution for low-emission and environmentally friendly freight transport is the Rollende Landstraße (ROLA) train. Research at the Indonesian Railway Polytechnic (PPI) in Madiun conducted dynamic simulations to analyze safe operating speeds when crossing minimum curved tracks with a radius of 42 meters to prevent derailment. The simulation results show that the optimal speed limit for ROLA transport is 14 km/h for fully loaded trucks, 17 km/h for half-loaded trucks, and 19 km/h for unloaded trucks. This speed must be maintained constantly when passing through curves to ensure safety and comfort.

Implementation of CC-CV Battery Charging Method with Temperature Control for Level Crossings

Yuli Prasetyo — 2026-03-31

Level crossings are critical for ensuring the safety of long-distance railway operations. To maintain the reliability of these at-grade crossings, their power supply systems are equipped with lead-acid batteries. This study focuses on the battery charging system. A known effect of battery charging is temperature rise due to charge current flow. The Constant Current-Constant Voltage (CC-CV) method is proposed in this research to address the issue of prolonged charging time while monitoring temperature to preserve battery health. Battery charging tests were conducted by comparing the CC-CV and Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) methods, starting from the minimum battery voltage (11.7 V) until the voltage set point was reached. The results show that the SMPS method required 5 hours with an average charging temperature of 34.0°C. In contrast, the CC-CV method required only 2.1 hours with an average temperature of 35.4°C. Therefore, the CC-CV method can significantly accelerate the charging time while ensuring the temperature remains within the specified maximum limit. This shorter charging duration is expected to enhance the reliability and prevent service disruptions at level crossings.

Failure Analysis and Maintenance Strategy of Pneumatic System Components in Rail-Road Loader KGT/V

M Karil Samba Athari — 2026-03-31

The Rail-Road Loader KGT/V is a multifunctional heavy equipment used for railway track maintenance and repair, with a pneumatic system playing a vital role in braking and stabilization mechanisms. This study aims to analyze the failure of pneumatic system components in the Rail-Road Loader KGT/V unit, primarily caused by air moisture and condensation, and to formulate solutions for improving system reliability. The research applies several methods, including downtime analysis, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Results indicate that high humidity at the operational sites triggers failures in key components such as seals, valves, and pressure sensors, leading to increased equipment downtime. The installation of an air dryer is identified as the most effective technical solution to mitigate condensation issues. According to the TOPSIS analysis, implementing an air dryer ranks highest among proposed alternatives. This study recommends installing air dryers and developing a systematic maintenance procedure to enhance the reliability of the pneumatic system and ensure safer operational performance of the Rail-Road Loader KGT/V.

Feasibility Evaluation of a Microcontroller-Based SCADA Prototype as an Operational Traction Substation Monitoring System

Andri Pradipta — 2026-03-31

This study evaluates the feasibility of a microcontroller-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) prototype for railway traction substation monitoring. A quantitative evaluative approach is employed using experimental data, focusing on reliability, response time, accuracy, and communication performance. The system integrates Arduino-based controllers, electrical sensors, TCP/IP communication, and a computer-based Human Machine Interface (HMI). Results show that the system achieves an operational success rate above 90% with an average response time below 2 seconds, indicating adequate performance for basic monitoring and control functions. However, compared to industrial SCADA standards, the system exhibits limitations in reliability, security, and scalability. Therefore, the prototype is classified as having limited feasibility, suitable for educational and simulation purposes but not for direct operational deployment. This study provides a structured evaluation framework and highlights key gaps for future development of more robust SCADA systems. This study contributes by introducing a quantitative feasibility evaluation framework for low-cost SCADA systems in railway applications.