Smart Region Makes Life Easier Through Modern Technology (2. strana)

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.