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Project Information
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Fix-it Application to Use Android (smart) Phone for Public Service This document describes a public service software application concept to report, organize and resolve things that need to be fixed in public spaces. Goal This application should improve the public environment without increasing costs. Early reporting of problems should allow small repairs before problems get out of hand. Organized and mapped reports should allow more efficient repair and work efforts. It is meant to facilitate public works and utilities efforts. (It could also probably be extended to surveillance and law enforcement activities but that is not the original intent.) Brief Description In this implementation, an Android phone user or computer user member of the public observes and reports a problem. The problem would be something that needs to be fixed, like a burned out street light or broken street sign. Emergencies would still be handled by the regular emergency infrastructure. A smart Android phone is well suited for reporting with its camera, compass and GPS capabilities. The simple push button smart phone report from a member of the public may include pictures and map coordinates. Based on the reported classification of the problem and geography, the central software application will determine the responsible organization or jurisdiction and notify them of the problem and its location. The organization can then manage the corrective action. The repair crews may also use the reported information to add the repair into their typical daily activities or route. A smart device with the work crew could record the repair and update the database. User Stories: The following stories describe typical interactions with the application. 1. Android user. An Android user is out on a walk in the neighborhood. She notes that a tree has fallen and starts the Fix-it application. She takes a picture and pushes a button to send in the report. She is asked to make a simple choice to classify the problem, if possible, and a list of typical problems is given. She then selects whether she wants to remain anonymous or not, and whether she wants to receive a follow-up notice when the issue has been resolved. The application confirms that a report has been made to the central database. 2. A computer user without a smart phone is out on a bike ride and notes that an animal has been struck by a car and is lying in the roadway. After he returns home, he starts the Fix-it application on his home computer. The application asks for the location and maps it on Google-maps. Additional information can be included, like pictures, if available. He is asked to press a button to help classify the problem, if possible, and a list of typical problems is given. He has the choice to remain anonymous or not, and whether to receive a follow-up notice when the issue has been resolved. The application confirms that a report has been made to the central database. 3. The Central Database receives a report of a problem. The program checks to see if a similar problem has already been reported. Based on problem, location and novelty, the database automatically contacts the relevant party to report the problem. 4. The Public Works individual department Administration checks their section of the database and notices that a fallen tree has been reported. A work crew will be going through that neighborhood soon. The administrator includes the fallen tree in the daily schedule. 5. A Work Crew is going out on their daily route. They note they have a fallen tree on the work schedule. They review the picture and see that it's quite small. All they need is a chain saw and they should be able to take it back in the truck with them. They check the location and find it's not far off their route so they can get it at the start of the day. Once they finish cleaning up the tree, they note some damage to the road. They take a picture of the removed tree and damaged road to update the report for further action. 6. Beauty spots. It isn't all bad. A jogger is out and notices some particularly stunning flowers in the public park after the recent rains. He sends in a report on his Android phone to the Fix-it application where citizens can log in to see their city in action and also find places of particular charm. 7. Kudos. The woman who reported the fallen tree this morning is on her way home from work. She notices the fallen tree has already been taken away. Wow, that was quick! She signs on to the Fix-it application and finds an update to report the tree has been removed but notes there is still some outstanding action. She writes a quick thank you note to the city to thank them for their fast work. 8. Some citizens sign up as citizen Fix-it patrol Volunteers. People are out walking and bicycling the city every day. Sally volunteers to keep an eye on her neighborhood. She checks the Fix-it application to get a requested route to take, just to have citizen's eyes on parks and roads. If she sees a problem, she logs a report. Otherwise at the end she logs an all clear. Of course the city still sends out crews, but volunteers are a good way to get a free checkup on the city. The database keeps track of which areas have been patrolled by citizens. 9. Entrepeneurs. Tom has a small business picking up abandoned shopping carts in the various communities near his home. He has some regular runs but sees the Fix-it application has notified him of some abandoned carts in a new location. He notes they're off the main road, but not far from his regular schedule. He works them into the day's schedule with little extra effort. Fix-it Issues Here is a simple list of the types of problems that can be handled more efficiently with public input to a central database which can relay the report to the responsible organization. Animal control: dangerous animals, stray pets, dead animals Broken benches, tables, bus shelters Dangers: open manholes or grates, old refrigerators Electricity: hissing insulators or transformers. May require public education. Graffitti. Could also help volunteer graffitti removing groups. Lighting: burned out street lights, traffic lights, pedestrian crossing lights Park: irrigation systems broken Pot holes, uneven sidewalks Shopping carts, abandoned Sidewalks: uneven steps or gaps Signage: broken or missing signs Storm drains, plugged. Other drainage issues Trash: broken glass, abandoned furniture or appliances in the way, overflowing trash bins Trees down Vehicles, abandoned, leaking or smoggy Central Database with mapping enables useful Metrics Database applications could monitor and rate helpful citizens or caution about wolf criers or trouble makers. Public works departments could schedule and track repairs and activities. |