keoadmin
11-17-2003, 03:36 PM
Local government in London in the United Kingdom is exploring the potential of using 'SmartCards' for residents to help deliver local services (more information is available below).
SmartCards have a built in chip which can store information for access, payment and reference purposes.
In Ontario we often spend a great deal of time and money on reverifying information when we begin to use a local service such a hospital, schools, public transportation, recreational services, social services, library, parking, etc. SmartCards would eliminate many of these time consuming waits.
However, one of the largest concerns with SmartCards are privacy considerations. Privacy issues have not always been adequately considered or resolved with respect to the implementation or use of SmartCards.
Should Kingston try SmartCards on a voluntary basis as a pilot project?
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The London-wide SmartCard
London Connects is leading the way towards a London-wide smartcard to provide all those who work in, live in, visit, or do business in London with a Smartcard if they want one.
What will the SmartCard do?
The services loaded onto each card will be at the absolute discretion of the customer, but the card will provide certain core functions. It will carry transport ticketing services and a small electronic purse for low value electronic transactions such as parking charges, etc, through Transport for London (TfL). It will also act as an entry token providing an easy way of establishing rights to public and private services, including concessionary rights, health, benefits, education, leisure, libraries, kiosks, etc. It will make access to services easier for those cardholders most in need of them. It will reduce the requirement for needy citizens to repeatedly prove that they are who they say they are and it will remove the stigma associated with means-tested services such as school meals.
The card user will be able to build up points on a loyalty scheme to be traded for benefits as in the Connexions and similar schemes in use in London at present. It will provide the opportunity to build-in rewards for good citizenship activities like neighbourhood watch schemes, street leader schemes, reporting faults and abandone cars, etc. The card can also be used to gain physical access to buildings, and other premises.
http://www.londonconnects.org.uk/index2.asp?contentid=14&menuid=231
SmartCards have a built in chip which can store information for access, payment and reference purposes.
In Ontario we often spend a great deal of time and money on reverifying information when we begin to use a local service such a hospital, schools, public transportation, recreational services, social services, library, parking, etc. SmartCards would eliminate many of these time consuming waits.
However, one of the largest concerns with SmartCards are privacy considerations. Privacy issues have not always been adequately considered or resolved with respect to the implementation or use of SmartCards.
Should Kingston try SmartCards on a voluntary basis as a pilot project?
____________________________________________
The London-wide SmartCard
London Connects is leading the way towards a London-wide smartcard to provide all those who work in, live in, visit, or do business in London with a Smartcard if they want one.
What will the SmartCard do?
The services loaded onto each card will be at the absolute discretion of the customer, but the card will provide certain core functions. It will carry transport ticketing services and a small electronic purse for low value electronic transactions such as parking charges, etc, through Transport for London (TfL). It will also act as an entry token providing an easy way of establishing rights to public and private services, including concessionary rights, health, benefits, education, leisure, libraries, kiosks, etc. It will make access to services easier for those cardholders most in need of them. It will reduce the requirement for needy citizens to repeatedly prove that they are who they say they are and it will remove the stigma associated with means-tested services such as school meals.
The card user will be able to build up points on a loyalty scheme to be traded for benefits as in the Connexions and similar schemes in use in London at present. It will provide the opportunity to build-in rewards for good citizenship activities like neighbourhood watch schemes, street leader schemes, reporting faults and abandone cars, etc. The card can also be used to gain physical access to buildings, and other premises.
http://www.londonconnects.org.uk/index2.asp?contentid=14&menuid=231