Read the three solutions for smart mobility and then answer the questions|E-bikes for frontline medical staff

Read the three solutions for smart mobility and then answer the questions.

1. E-bikes for frontline medical staff: It became clear that medical staff were some of the most at-risk populations who needed to be protected from the virus. The presence of the Beacon and
Leopardstown Park hospitals in the district meant that finding ways to help front line healthcare
professionals could be a visible way for Smart Sandyford to help during the crisis. The shortage of public transport options and the fear of using family vehicles among medical staff meant that
alternative modes of transport were needed for them to commute. One project in particular stood out as an obvious option to address this challenge: An e-bike trial with mobility company Moby, which had been scheduled for the summer was ideal for its simplicity and clear service value to the front-line medical staff. Following initial consultations between Moby and DLR it was agreed that the e-bikes that were to be deployed in the district, could be redeployed to frontline staff. The DLR mobility hub, which is a shared car and bike scheme for Council staff, could also provide their fleet of e-bikes for this cause. These two e-bike fleets could be combined and redeployed for the frontline hospital workers who did not want to use reduced public transport, helping them get to work and minimising single driver car use in the district.

2. Focus on exploring connectivity and allow the market to provide solutions: As the virus infected more countries around the world it became clear that communication and measurement of different responses would need to be analysed. Ronan’s team formed part of an international collaborative research network who came together to research strategies to prevent the spread of, and eventually eradicate Covid-19 across different regions and specific countries. In the initial weeks of the outbreak a number of online workshops were held with these experts to discuss what technologies were available, how were they deployed, how information was communicated with the local populous and what technologies were being used to monitor the spread. Following this research, it was clear that projects informing the public of the impacts and the measures to curtail Covid-19, as well as projects for contact tracing and other communication-based projects, were critical. Ronan could work with the public infrastructure providers to ensure any available information and contract tracing solutions would be funded and made available to the general public.

3. Capital investment option: As the Work From Home protocols were enforced, much of the District became deserted. A more long-term plan was proposed that could monitor the changing demand for transport modes in the District and to then be able to capitalise on shifting trends. In order to monitor such changing trends, a three-pronged data gathering project was envisaged, which could monitor traffic, air quality and employee sentiment in the district. A sensor-based analysis of transport demands could include traffic counting and air quality sensors. These sensors could be combined with qualitative public surveys and infrastructure providers’ mobility data sets. This combination of data types would give an overview of mobility in the District and paint a more vivid picture of what was really going on for decision-makers across each of the partner groups. Traffic counting sensors, which were deployed to monitor the congestion in the area, could now be reworked to monitor the volume of employees returning to work in the district. Ronan’s mantra of “Measure – Test – Deploy” would allow the Council to respond to changing demands among the local population.

1. Ronan presented three options based on the person power and restrictions presented to him, on page 6.  Out of the three options, the first one was targeted as a Short-term Quick win solution. Do you agree or disagree to this claim? Give reasons.

2. The second option was geared towards facilitating the market to deliver solutions. Give a brief explanation on how you could have accomplished the same with a different solution, under similar circumstances.

3. The third option was presented as a long-term solution. Do you think this is a feasible solution in the district you live in? Give reasons.