Using QR codes for enhancing the scope of digital government services

Abstract

Digital government is universally gaining acceptance as the public becomes more technologically advanced. The government must embrace new technology to minimize costs and maximize utility of services to the taxpayer. While administrative services have been easily ported to the digital world, there are still many important citizen-centric services that have not yet been effectively migrated. Quick Response codes (QR codes) provide a means to effectively distribute many different varieties of information to the public. We propose a QR code system and a corresponding smartphone application for the U. S. National Park Service (NPS) with the goal of providing a new level of interactivity for the public. The focus is on developing a QR code waypoint system for park navigation, as well as incentivizing park use through gamification of site attractions. The system provides increased safety for park goers, disseminates information more effectively and accurately, and improves feedback between the NPS and the public.