Putting existing technology to use in everyday life, students in Zagreb are focusing on cyclists
There is enough infrastructure in Zagreb needed to develop a smart city, with the need to start developing mobile apps and promoting them, says professor Ivana Podnar Žarko from the Faculty of Electrotechnics and Computers, also the technical director of the Symbiote project. The project is funded by the European Commission, dealing with interoperability of internet program platforms. We have young programmers who know it and want it and we have people who want to use it, she points out, as reported by Jutarnji List on June 16, 2016.
“A the start of the year we began a project of control of air quality. Our 20 students received sensors and constantly collected data. We presented this to citizens and they were thrilled. People want to know in what environment they live in – especially important to people suffering from allergies,” explains Podnar Žarko. They are currently expecting funds to continue the project, planning to focus on cyclists with the help of sensors gain data on the most polluted bike lanes in Zagreb. Something directly useful to those riding bikes – everyone will be able to see which route is polluted and decide on alternative directions. Data depends on traffic density and weather conditions, but certainly quite useful data for any cyclist. “The project will be undertaken at the same time in Vienna, as both cities have the goal to point cyclists to green routes,” Podnar Žarko explains.
The idea of a smart city is to simplify everyday life for citizens, she explains, in the manner of using existing technology and putting it to use for citizens. Smart city solutions are good for city management, but residents too. As far as the city, using these apps cheapness public services – for example, smart lighting saves power, while containers with sensors alert when they are full, instead of workers driving to them and losing time and money. “Whether it’s about which occupied garage to avoid or info on crowd gatherings, leading to the conclusion something fun is happening there. The possibilities are endless,” Pondar Žarko claims.
