Smart Cards for Transit : Multi-Use Remotely Interrogated Stored-Data Cards for Fare and Toll Payment

PDFTech ReportFTA-MA-26-0020-95-1DOT-VNTSC-FTA-95-2Fare collectionPublic transitRemote controlSmart cardsTechnology assessmentToll collectionUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Transit AdministrationBushnell, William R.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)United States. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Technical AssistanceNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-Electronic Payment and PricingNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Advanced Public Transit SystemsNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Transit Planning and PolicyVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis project developed relevant information on existing and future, stored readable/writable data card technology for fare and toll payments. The project supports the FTA objective of developing a plan for a common standard card-based fare payment system that can be used for various public transit modes. Information was developed through analyses of existing automated card technology, examination of current and planned applications in relevant transit modes, and in-person interviews with public transit personnel. The report presents card design characteristics for person-based and vehicle-based applications as well as application characteristics that must be supported by the ultimate automated card system. The key finding was that fare and toll applications have different requirements. Moreover, the goal of integrating these two applications (person-based and vehicle-based) onto a single card is complicated by differences such as the required read range. For the person-based application, it appears that remote coupling (RF proximity) technology will best satisfy integrated requirements. A key reason for choosing RF proximity technology over magnetic stripe technology was to support the needs of mobility limited riders. For vehicle-based applications, a much longer read range is necessary, and it appears that longer range smart transponder (RFID Type III) technology is the most appropriate. Only a few of the existing technologies are applicable when matched against critical requirements and performance criteria