REGION

more significant issue is pollution from tyres or the future

disposal of batteries.

This is where the idea of innovation with the model

of a smart solution comes into play. Offering people an

alternative that saves time and money is ideal which, in this

case, takes the form of smart public transport. It is true that

public transport is not the most appropriate or convenient

solution for everyone. Nonetheless, the service of industrial

zones, for example, is absolutely an ideal solution. We

purchased data from mobile operators, we are evaluating

the largest waves of people and we are setting up bus

schedules so that we can help fulfill people’s parameters

of a time- and money-appropriate solution. In other words,

so that the people can get where they want at the time

they want with a bus that has a WI-FI connection, supports

payment by card, allows them to charge their phone, etc.

Using this method, we were able to lower the travel time

between Štramberk and Ostrava by fifteen minutes.

What should I imagine with the term “smart transport”?

Currently, we are creating a solution for smart transport by

merging Google Maps, IDOS and other smart solutions,

all of which are integrated into the ODIS application.

The ODIS card should be the only mutually recognized

electronic payment method for carriers, ensuring personal

public transport within the integrated transport system

of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It is a contactless chip card

that can be used in two basic ways: as a carrier for longterm tickets and as an electronic wallet, where both of these

methods can be mutually combined.

The goal is to gradually integrate more intelligence into

this application. During the first phase, the system will

indicate traffic jams and road closures. There should

also be a system for smart predictions with a choice

of alternatives. Ideally, we will also be able to predict traffic

behavior during major sport events. Simply, it’s a so-called

dynamic-traffic-dispatching system. It is necessary that the

means of transport adapts to the time parameters, where

most people do not come to work at 6 am like they did

in the past. Of course, this process includes intelligence

with which means of transport will be outfitted in the

future. Ostrava has probably progressed the furthest in this

regard, as live information about each connection is easily

available, which is ideal for the future of the entire region.

Otázky připravil:

Aleš Vítek

Foto:

archiv MSK

www.msk.cz

What are your other visions in regards to transport?

Trains are a chapter of their own. My vision includes

purchasing hydrogen-powered trains. Not only will this

fulfill our ecological needs, but it will also bring about more

work opportunities in every field. Careful, however--these

would be high-value jobs, not assembly-line work!

The idea is to use our current resources for alternative

car, bus, and train fuel. Electromobility is, in my opinion,

a dead end. In its time, it definitely had its place in certain

applications, however, the future will be dedicated to

other fuel sources. The infrastructure needed to maintain

electromobility is complex and economically relatively

expensive.

I am under the impression that the age of hydrogen power

has arrived and, with it, we can start up a completely new

and modern economic system in the region. Filling stations,

containers and other necessary infrastructure. We are an

industrial region--we know how to do this! Over the next

58 ǀ POSITIV 2/2020

five years, we would therefore like to purchase ten buses and

four trains powered by hydrogen.

Did the “smart region” system make life easier for people

during the crisis of the COVID-19 outbreak?

Thanks to the application created by our programmers, we

allowed people to be tested without a waiting period. People

were able to arrange a time that was convenient for them

and get tested without any needless stress. These results are

also available to individual doctors, who are then able to have

an overview of their patients.

We were also the first to develop an application for the

distribution of medical equipment that took place over ten

waves; we were able to do this in three days. We are now

kickstarting a new acceleration program for businessmen

that will prepare us for any future epidemic.

Where else is the implementation of your “smart city and

region” system bearing fruit?

“Smart city” is a concept that makes use of digital,

information, and communication technologies to improve

the quality of life. It is focused on the effective use of current

resources and the search for new resources, lowering energy

consumption, eliminating burdens on the environment,

optimizing transport and sharing data for public purposes.

There are two of us IT specialists in the regional leadership,

and our expertise allows us to better fulfill digitalization

parameters. During the first two weeks of the state of

national emergency, we were able to function from a home

office without any complications. We are a completely

paperless office. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we noticed

that digitalization is the only way in which we can function

as a regional apparatus with no major issues even under

aggravated conditions.

Do you stand behind the idea of the best “Smart Idea”?

How did the contest catch on?

We wanted to give the youth of our region the chance to

show what they can do. We sensed a lot of potential that

we want and have to use. “Smart Idea” is a program for

innovators that come up with sharp concepts and want to

implement them in daily life. One of the winners even won

the start-up of the year title, and many others expanded into

new markets and wear the region’s badge abroad. I am very

proud of this. We are still holding the competition this year,

with the task of helping improve the situation in the current

state, mainly regarding healthcare, and I can already tell that

this year will be worth it once again!

What is your favorite regional food, and how do you spend

your free time?

The potato pancake in any form is definitely on my list of

favorite foods. My free time activities? They mostly include

tourism and sports. Whenever I have a little free time, I put

on my running shoes and go for a jog or go cycling. Since

last year’s summer holidays, I have conquered the 1,000 km

running milestone, and my scale showed me I’ve lost 20 kg.

A person’s figure is mostly dictated by their diet. I stopped

eating side dishes, and now I only eat vegetables, meats and

cheeses. Sport is another important parameter that dictates

a person’s figure.

Thank you for the interview.