20.11.2020
Bridge construction project in Scheibbs
Electronic voting using virtual reality.
The municipality of Scheibbs and the BRZ (Federal Computing Centre) are pioneering the combination of virtual reality (VR) and the blockchain-secured e-participation solution BRZ eDem as part of a vote on a bridge construction project.
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Stadtgemeinde Scheibbs
What should Scheibbs look like in the future? Mayor Franz Aigner posed this question when planning the construction of an additional, eighth bridge over the Erlauf River. The bridge's construction had already been decided, but the citizens of Scheibbs were to have a say in which bridge design would actually be implemented. The mayor took a novel approach to conducting this survey. He was supported by experts from the Federal Computing Center (BRZ) and their e-participation solution, BRZ eDem.
Virtual Tour and Electronic Voting
In an innovative project unique in Austria, the city of Scheibbs and the Federal Computing Center collaborated on citizen participation regarding the design of an eighth bridge over the Erlauf River. Three selected designs were available for voting between December 9th and 20th, 2019, and could be viewed using virtual reality (VR) glasses in the Scheibbs town hall. Within the 3D environment, citizens could directly select their preferred model and initiate an electronic vote during the virtual tour.
Voting was only possible for residents of the town of Scheibbs, as they received a "token"—a single-use electronic ballot—before the start of the voting period. Using the token allowed for anonymous voting, preventing any identification of the voter. Furthermore, each token could only be used once. Multiple votes were not permitted. Voting could take place directly at the town hall, online at www.scheibbs.gv.at/befragung, or via mobile phone. To vote online, the token had to be entered manually or the QR code scanned with the phone's camera.
... Scheibbs as a Model for eDemocracy Processes in Cities and Municipalities
"Together with Scheibbs, we demonstrated in this project that electronic citizen participation is simple and secure – thanks to the sophisticated software solution BRZ eDem. This blockchain-secured e-participation tool can support cities and municipalities in making administrative processes as simple and secure as possible for their citizens," says Clemens Schwaiger, Head of Product Management and Digital Advisory at BRZ. "The municipal council vote in Scheibbs is intended to motivate other cities and municipalities to bring administrative processes into the digital age. BRZ is happy to support this effort and contribute its experience and products from the field of eGovernment."
About BRZ eDem BRZ
eDem is a blockchain-based eDemocracy solution developed by BRZ. Particular emphasis is placed on security, reliability, and transparency in the voting process. By separating identity from the digital ballot box, voting is anonymous, while simultaneously ensuring that only one vote is possible. BRZ eDem is intended to simplify participatory processes in cities and municipalities for both citizens and the implementing bodies.
About BRZ
BRZ is the market-leading technology partner for the public sector in Austria. It develops and describes more than 400 IT applications and e-government solutions (e.g., FinanzOnline, oestzerreich.gv.at). Furthermore, it operates one of the country's largest data centers and manages the Republic's data assets.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, the voting results were announced at the Scheibbs Town Hall. 973 participants (out of 4,503 eligible voters) took part in the vote, representing a turnout of 21.61%.
Design C (Tetratop) emerged as the winner, receiving 3344 stars. Variant B (Fishbelly) received 2851 stars, and variant A (Rust) received 2365 stars. Therefore, the bridge railing will be implemented in the Tetratop variant, finished in rust.