DUBLIN'S COMMUTERS may be able to avoid the worst of rush-hour traffic in future by using a high-tech system being developed by the Department of Energy.
Department officials have been working for some months on a pilot project called "Work Flow" which combines technologies like broadband, global positioning system (GPS), sensors and advanced conferencing systems.
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan, who has given strong backing to the scheme, has predicted that, if fully implemented, it would lead to significant reductions in greenhouse emissions by workers commuting to and from their place of work.
The use of information communications technology (ICT) to improve environmental management is known as "silicon offsetting". The department's scheme is the first such to be tested worldwide - it has also trademarked the concept. "Work Flow" is based on the idea that workers have two work stations, one at home and one at work. They are "dynamically linked" to each other using advanced online audio and video systems.
The mode of transport - be it bus, train or car - is also linked to the system via sensors and GPS.
A briefing paper on Work Flow, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times, outlines how the system works: "The commuter has a continuous real-time estimate of the predicted commuting time between office-home-office. In this way commute time is minimised.
"In effect the smoothing of the peak hours morning and afternoon saves significant time and leads to significant reduction in CO2 emissions. The calculation of the commute time is based on the web-lined fixed and mobile (ie on-vehicle) sensors."
The availability of affordable home video and audio conference units would also allow some employees to work from home for longer periods. The briefing paper concludes that it will lead to reduced commuting time and also to significant reductions in emissions.
The concept was disclosed for the first time by Mr Ryan at an OECD ministerial meeting in Seoul, Korea, last week. He presented it as one of a number of "smart" solutions that his department is working on to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The others include smart electric meters for homes and business (capable of switching off appliances that can be idle) and "smart-grid" solutions that will allow increased use of variable sources of energy like wind and tidal power (especially on calm days when these sources generate little).
Mr Ryan, speaking in Seoul, said that a feasibility project for Work Flow in the greater Dublin area would take place over the next 18 months. It will be dependent on availability of reliable high speed broadband.
Mr Ryan noted that Dublin had few high-rise buildings and the public transport system was under-developed.
"The area has a population of two million with 400,000 motor vehicles travelling in and out of the city every working day.
"I am convinced of the potential of the area and predict that ICT applications will have a profound impact on the development of a global lower-carbon economy," he said.