Framework for Future Telematics Solutions
Requirements and General Framework
The results of this survey show that nearly all countries of central and eastern Europe appear to have developed informational "concepts" within the last five years, supported usually by a corresponding information legal framework and (environmental) information system (see Table 3 below). The objective being, to smooth electronic information exchange, in some cases to agree on standard and compatible data formats, and overall to improve information flow, access and transparency. It can be said that EU accession and the general need to improve informational efficiency in the light of current technological advances (particularly Internet growth) are among the driving forces. This in stark contrast to the policy of previous decades where until the political changes of the late 1980’s, information was maintained secretively and was not readily accessible and for many areas not even collected.|
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| Bulgaria | National System for Environmental Monitoring | Law on Access to Information, currently being drafted.
Regulation on Access to Environmental Information, currently being drafted. International Convention on Access to Information signed, no immediate plans to ratify |
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| Czech Republic | National Policy on the
Information Society, 1998 |
Environment Monitoring Concept,
1993 Concept for an Integrated
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Act on Environmental Right to Know, 1998
International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 1999 |
| Estonia | The Fundamentals of Estonian Information Policy, 1998 | Environment Pollution Inventory Data with over 40 component databases | Estonian Constitution International
Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 2000 |
| Hungary | Intelligent Cities and Regions Programme, 1997 | GIS Development Programme, implemented within the National Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, and 12 Regional Inspectorates | Law LIII on the General rules for Environmental Protection, 1995
International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 2000 |
| Latvia | Concept for an Information Development Strategy,
1997-2002 National Programme for
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State Information System
Unified Environmental Information System |
Law on Access to Information, 1998
Law on Environmental Protection, 1991 Regulation on Economical Classification. International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 1999 |
| Lithuania | National Communications and Information Development Programme | National Environmental Database | Public Information Law, 1996
Environmental Protection Law, 1992 Environmental Monitoring Law, 1997 International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 1999 |
| Poland | Global Information Society
Strategy, including: Objectives and Directions of the Information Society in Poland Both currently being finalised |
National monitoring system based
on the Act on the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, 1991 |
Polish Constitution, Article 74
Act on the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, 1991 International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 1999 |
| Romania | National Strategy for
Informatisation and Rapid Implementation of the Information Society, 1998 |
Law on Environmental Protection,
1995 (Equipping 48 Environmental Protection Agencies responsible for environmental monitoring). |
Law on Environmental Protection, 1995
International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 1999 |
| Slovakia | Strategy for the Implementation
of the Information Society Policy, 1998 |
Environment Monitoring Concept,
1993 Concept for an Integrated
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Access to Environmental Information Act, 1998
Slovak Constitution, Section VII International Convention on Access to Information signed yet to be signed |
| Slovenia | "Onix", a national database of all
relevant environment and planning related information, operating from a uniform standard for environmental data exchange. |
Environmental Protection Act, Article 14, 1993
International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 2000 Environmental Protection Act, Article 14, 1993 International Convention on Access to Information signed, ratification expected 2000 |
Table 3: Informational Concepts, Systems, and Legal Frameworks
for Information Collection and Exchange
A typical example is Latvia’s "Concept for an Information Development Strategy, 1997-2002", which expects to realise the State Information System and within this, a Unified Environmental Information System. Similar initiatives exist elsewhere, for example, in Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia, however, these tend to be considerably less advanced than those of Latvia, whose Concept is also currently realising the development of a Governmental Data Communication Network. Characteristically, these concepts are focused toward state administration, and on linking environment ministries or subordinate bodies responsible for data collection, to regional representatives such as inspectorates. With the exception of Slovakia, and Slovenia, through its "Onix" system, these initiatives tend to exclude local municipal self-government.
Some countries have made attempts to involve municipal administrations
within centralised information systems (most notably, Poland, Latvia and
Lithuania), however, the trend is generally for the municipality to establish
its own data collection, storage and dissemination facility or application,
based on territorial needs and financial resources. These have been
shown to vary from air and water monitoring and modelling systems, to tentative
environmental impact assessment databases, use of aerial photography and
GIS for physical planning, and Internet to disseminate environmental data.
Intelligent town halls are also beginning to be developed in countries
like Hungary.
Requirements
According to the above table, the general frameworks for the implementation of information technology activities appear to be in place. Among the requirements for the further development of these activities within both central and regional state bodies, and municipal self-governing levels, would seem to be the widespread implementation of the above informational policies, together with the corresponding development of supporting, uniform, information technology-based communication networks. For those countries where appropriate policy statements, or legislation is missing, it would seem appropriate to draft, implement, and subsequently enforce this in concertation with all information stakeholders. Taking environmental issues into consideration, the clearer definition of self-governing municipal roles toward the environment would help create a sense of identity and environmental responsibility, which in turn would generate better appreciation for technologies that support environmental management. Under the current climate, the state in most EU accession countries continues to assume prime responsibility for the environment, and the corresponding data related activities. Furthermore, the role of IT within environmental legislation might be better described. In Lithuania for example, the Law on Environmental Monitoring foresees greater municipality responsibility.Nevertheless, the need for implementation of information technologies and supporting networks seem to be well understood in all countries at the state level as a means for improving information flow within respective bodies, and with the public. It is also clear that information technologies and telematics-like applications can be used to support national policy and compliance with (and enforcement of) legislation. And it appears to be well understood that IT solutions, in particular the Internet, can be relied upon to promote environmental awareness. At the local self-governing level, appreciation and understanding is less developed.
Among the further requirements that can therefore be cited is the need to raise awareness and demonstrate, to the different levels of environmental administration (particularly the local level) and the public, the potential application of environmental information technology solutions. Where budgets are constrained, finance is likely to serve as an obstacle to local level implementation and purchase of equipment, particularly where a link is not made between the value of technology solutions and the environment.
A further requirement builds on this issue. While in some of the more advanced central European countries the level of IT expertise is well developed, in others there is also a real need to build capacity through training, and improving understanding of the concept of telematics. Exchange programmes or internships can be relied on to build capacity, while in some countries, new (cheaper) graduates of GIS/technology based programmes might be hired.
With the subsequent development of information oriented activities within
the accession countries, it is clear that the number of IT services and
suppliers of equipment and maintenance will feed off this growth and breed
a competitive (and cheaper) information market. At the same time,
compatibility issues will become less and less of an obstacle. With
this development, new questions will begin to be raised, for instance,
what specific user needs are there to consider? One country report author
argued simplified environmental data might be made available to the public,
while technical raw data might be reserved for professionals and other
advanced users. It is perhaps an issue that might be further concentrated
on at a pan-European level, and might help better streamline environmental
information management and dissemination.
Obstacles to Telematics Uptake
Among the obstacles raised within the country surveys to the further use of telematic-like applications, a number of issues can be highlighted. Many of these have already been raised above and form the counter argument. Since these have been discussed in some depth already, they will only be highlighted below.Unclear environmental responsibility and ownership, against a background of established environmental undertakings at the central and regional state level, including environmental monitoring and data collection/dissemination. The resulting low priority attached to the environment can be further illustrated by a comment one author made:
"since municipalities do not own natural resources and neither have inspection authority, expenditures for local monitoring are hardly justifiable."
Lack of integration within environmental legislation and policy of information technology applications.
Lack of institutional cooperation. There are few strong links between governmental institutions, and the information flow between them has yet to be structured. This is resulting in the development of independent information systems at different levels. (Note: this issue was also raised with regard to the development of information policy and strategy).
Priority shifts of future governments, leading to an unclear information and environment policy. As investments are made in one field, priority and attention shifts to another.
Poor legal basis for information access. In addition, the cost issue should be clarified. Should institutes be free to charge for information, or not? The right to charge could be seen as a driving force for implementing sophisticated solutions.
Poor data standards, giving rise to incompatible and heterogeneous systems, and different data collections. These problems relate to the need for a substantial legal basis for data exchange and collection/validation.
Obsolete, poor capacity equipment to "add-on" to. Financing is the real problem.
Poor telecommunications networks, and informational infrastructure. Liberalisation of the telecommunications market can help, besides concentrating efforts on improving the framework for the development of the information society.
Limited understanding of IT benefits, from the decisionmaker point of view. This can be related to the poor understanding of the value of (environmental) information as a whole. By contrast, stressing its value in the decisionmaking process, in enhancing institutional reputation, and in meeting legal commitments and raising public awareness can be an answer. The benefits of GIS for example, could be better illustrated to potential users.
Lack of qualified staff, compounded by an ability only to hold onto those with low IT expertise, often including those within an older age brackets with an unwillingness to learn the benefits of new technologies (again influenced by financial considerations since remuneration within the governmental sector is low compared with private enterprise for example, which is preferred by those who possess the relevant expertise). Hiring the "right" persons with the "right" skills would conversely help to ensure strategic investments are made along with the application of efficient solutions.
Limited funds for remuneration and to cover investments in equipment upgrades (which might guarantee compatibility with state systems which are funded through better resourced budgets).
Lack of IT suppliers, and services.
High costs of IT equipment and technology solutions.
Priorities Systems and Applications
The priorities systems and applications to be recommended depend to some degree on the priority problems and policies of the EU accession countries. However, among those highlighted are the following:Media Specific
Applications for emergency management and air control in those areas requiring specific air quality protection, and enhancing the ability of monitoring networks to process data;
A uniform database structure for water management issues;
A uniform information system applicable to specific media but catering for all levels of public administration with regard to collection, storage and dissemination, Intranet related for example.
For the Decisionmaker
Decision support and data collection, storage and dissemination systems for municipal and regional environmental managers;
Geographical information systems (GIS), with digital mapping modelling software, and Internet, as support tools in dealing with environmental damage;
Data integration systems catering for the many kinds of environmental data available to produce meaningful results;
Supporting the interpretation of data with reporting mechanisms for all users. Clearly there is considerable quantity and quality of data. It is the presentation, however, which is important;
Networking technologies that promote cooperative links with other regional partners, Intranet related for example;
Use of Internet within all administrative bodies for information collection and dissemination;
Systems which are compatible with EU standards, particularly those which support exchange and compatibility, and reliability.
For the Public
Community information systems, supporting "Intelligent Cities and Regions" concepts, and which raise public awareness and facilitate the introduction of environmentally sound technologies;
Community information systems that facilitate two way communication between and among decisionmakers, and between decisionmakers and the public.
And in terms of support actions, the following activities were recommended:
Better availability of good practice guides and databases;
Pilot projects as a means to support the further implementation of these applications;
Adequate research clearly stressing the benefits of applications which can be relied upon by local government in advance of any purchasing and investment decision.
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
