[Asis-l] UW Information School receives grant to study use of wireless and mobile technology

[Kari Holland]

Jan. 25, 2006

UW Information School receives grant to study use of wireless and mobile technology in Seattle city government

Researchers from the University of Washington Information School's Center for Human-Information Interaction have received a $498,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a three-year study of the use of wireless and mobile technology in Seattle city government.

The goal of the project is to obtain a better understanding of the impacts and use of wireless applications in government. The researchers will develop a model that can guide other governmental organizations in their implementation of wireless, mobile technologies. "The introduction of new technology in any organization creates major challenges both to the work context and to the workers. This project will help facilitate this process for government agencies through defining requirements for wireless applications and workflows and also through outlining which policy choices are available to the government in such situations," says Harry Bruce, dean of the Information School. 

The UW researchers will study Seattle city government fieldwork in which fully mobile, wirelessly connected applications are already being used or will be used. Seattle's Public Utilities drainage and wastewater operations will serve as the site for investigation. The study is geared at uncovering the choices, potential uses, constraints, and opportunities of mobile applications. Mobile and wireless technology can help city government and city utilities to become more efficient. "Consider a case of a broken water hydrant," says Jochen Scholl UW assistant professor and a principal investigator on the project. "Water is leaking vigorously and needs to stopped immediately. The damage to the hydrant, however, cannot be determined without special expertise. With mobile and wireless technology, a technician on site can take a digital photo and immediately transfer it to an offsite expert who can give real-time advice on how to repair the damaged hydrant. The technology affords the opportunity to move the work to a more efficient model."

The principal investigators for the project are Scholl, Professor Raya Fidel and Assistant Professor Jens-Erik Mai. For more information on the project, please contact Jochen Scholl at 206-616-2543, or via e-mail: jschool at u.washington.edu . The project's website can be accessed at http://www.ischool.washington.edu/chii/mcity