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
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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.