Transforming Palu into a Smart City – Public Transportation, Smart Poles, and Digital Media
Project Overview
In partnership with the Mayor of Palu City, PT. Digital Teknologi International (PT. DTI) is at the forefront of transforming Palu into a modern Smart City. The objective of this strategic initiative is to refresh Palu’s identity by delivering innovative experiences for its citizens, simplifying business processes, and attracting more tourism. Through a series of groundbreaking projects, PT. DTI, alongside key partners, has been instrumental in revolutionizing public transportation, telecommunications, and digital media infrastructure.
The Challenge
As Palu embarks on its journey toward becoming a Smart City, there was a clear need for enhanced public services, smarter infrastructure, and improved connectivity. The challenge was to implement solutions that not only meet the city’s current needs but also ensure future scalability.
DTI’s Strategic Contribution
PT. DTI played a key role in multiple areas:
- Public Transportation PT. DTI led the transformation of the public transportation system by implementing a modern bus ticketing and tracking system. In partnership with Bank Mandiri, we launched an e-money-based payment system, allowing citizens to pay for bus fares seamlessly using Bank Mandiri e-money. Initially rolled out across 24 buses, this system enables buses to operate efficiently across designated shuttle bus stops within Palu City.
- Collaboration with PT Krakatau IT: A strategic partnership with the state-owned company PT Krakatau IT provided crucial support for the payment integration and installation of card readers on buses, with comprehensive managed services ensuring seamless operation.
- Provided Strategic Investment: In addition to managing operations, DTI made a strategic investment in PT. DEA, providing essential financial support to facilitate smooth project execution. This investment helped PT. DEA scale its production capacity, allowing them to meet the strict timelines required by Telkomsel and TelkomInfra.
- Smart Poles In collaboration with Edotco, a prominent tower provider, PT. DTI played a central role in the development of smart poles in Palu’s downtown area. These poles serve as multi-functional infrastructure by supporting telco repeaters, improving network coverage, while also providing public services such as:
- Public charging stations.
- Air quality sensors to monitor
- Public CCTV cameras for enhanced safety and security.
- Videotron Management PT. DTI took charge of managing the commercial business for two videotrons installed in strategic locations across Palu. These videotrons serve as a valuable platform for businesses to advertise, while also enabling the city to share public service announcements and important updates with its citizens.
Execution and Delivery
PT. DTI’s role in this Smart City initiative was critical to ensuring:
- Timely Implementation: The launch of the ticketing system was executed smoothly across the initial 24 buses, ensuring that the city's public transportation infrastructure was enhanced without disruptions.
- Collaborative Synergy: Partnerships with state-owned PT Krakatau IT and tower provider Edotco ensured that each component of the project was handled by experts in their respective fields.
- Innovation in Public Services: From integrating advanced payment systems to building smart poles, each project element contributed to making Palu a more connected, safe, and forward-thinking city.
Impact
This Smart City project has significantly improved the quality of life in Palu by offering:
- Convenient Transportation: Citizens can now use a seamless cashless payment system for public transport, reducing delays and enhancing the overall transit experience.
- Enhanced Connectivity and Safety: The installation of smart poles and telco repeaters ensures better network coverage, while integrated sensors and public CCTV contribute to a safer and more efficient urban environment.
- Increased Revenue: The commercial management of videotrons provides a consistent revenue stream for Palu and its local businesses by offering valuable advertising space.
Looking Ahead
The Smart City initiative is a testament to PT. DTI’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking solutions to Indonesia’s cities. As the project expands, PT. DTI will continue to collaborate with partners and the government to drive innovation, improve infrastructure, and enhance Palu’s appeal as a destination for both businesses and tourists.