Transit Guard: A Smart Fare Solution ^†

Abstract

The “Transit Guard” project represents a cutting-edge endeavour aimed at revolutionizing public transportation by implementing ticketless travel on buses and trains and tracking the number of passengers traveling. This project introduces a comprehensive system designed to enhance fare compliance, improve passenger convenience, and to avoid revenue losses due to ticketless traveling. Key components of the project include the development of a user-friendly mobile app for ticket purchase and validation, giving the number of passengers traveling in the bus and at the same time keeping track of how many passengers purchased the ticket through mobile app or offline ticket purchasing for each stop. “Transit Guard” not only curbs revenue losses for transit agencies but also fosters a culture of responsible travel and adherence to transit policies. By offering multiple ticketing options and ensuring accessibility, the project caters to all passengers, regardless of smartphone ownership. The result is an equitable, efficient, and secure public transportation experience the benefits both computers and transit providers, ultimately advancing the vision of fair and reliable transit systems.

1. Introduction

The proposed system for addressing ticketless travel on buses and trains introduces a modern and technologically advanced approach to enhancing fare compliance and improving the overall passenger experience. It centers around a user-friendly mobile app that allows passengers to purchase, validate, and manage their tickets conveniently using their smartphones [1]. Developing a user-friendly mobile app for ticket purchase and validation would involve technologies for mobile app development, such as Java, Kotlin, and Swift, and cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter. Infrared sensors can detect the presence of individuals passing through a doorway or entrance. These sensors can be used to count people as they board or exit a vehicle. This technologically advanced system aims to reduce revenue losses and create a more equitable, efficient, and secure public transportation experience for all passengers [2]. Ensuring the security of passenger data, payment transactions, and the overall system would require cybersecurity technologies to have best practices, IoT sensors, and devices that could be used to gather data on passenger counts and validate ticket purchases.

2. Background Work

In the recent year of 2021, J. Subramaniyan in the paper “Public transport ticketing and monitoring system” explores an automated card-driven system using RFID for bus journeys in India. PTS is currently experiencing severe malfunction and security issues. The merits are it being automatic, having low operating costs, and reducing delays. The demerits are more energy is required [3]. Future work on this extension may include detailed analysis of the selection of renewable power depending on season and availability, along with a suitable controller [4]. Next, in the year 2012, V. Venkat Krishnan in the paper “Public transport ticketing and monitoring system” picks the methodology of developing a public transportation system using GPS, GSM, RFID, and Zigbee, which is user-friendly. The entire network comprises three modules: a base station module, an in-bus module, and a bus stop module [5]. The merits are it being flexible and user-friendly, and the demerits are the complex system, high cost, and slow processing speed. Future enhancements include increasing the processing speed. More than one technology or approach can be combined, but it may become more complex. In the year 2021, Aman Kaushik in the paper “RFID based bus ticket generation system” says that the methodologies include RFID-based ticketing and passenger identification on public transportation. This deals with identification, bus ticket generation, and bus ticket checking using the IOT. The merits are it is user-friendly, easy to use, and less complex, and the demerits are high-cost security problems. In future, we can increase the security, and we would have to integrate and install more firewalls in this case. Next, in the same year, Deng Yang in the paper “Research on Electric Ticket System and Key Technology for road passenger transport” describes a road passenger electronic ticket system as an information system with the functions of generating, using, and managing electronic tickets, which provides more convenient and fast services for passengers [6]. The merits are a lower cost and large-scale implementation, and it greatly facilitates the travel of passengers, and the demerits are a lagging system which cannot meet the development requirements of the modern road transportation industry. Future enhancements could be creating a more up-to-date, efficient database and improving the performance without lagging. Next, in the year of 2019, C. Upendra Reddy in the paper “Bus Ticket System for Public Transport Using QR code” says that users can scan a QR reader instead of a ticket in an app; after registration, they have to attach their bank details to this app and add money to the wallet. The merits are it being easy to use, user-friendly, and less complex and having a low-cost implementation, and the demerits are security issues and networking issues. Future enhancements could be made by implementing an offline ticket provision system along with the app. Lastly, in the same year, R. A. Kalpana in the paper “Smart ticketing system using android application and IOT” describes IR sensors placed on a bus in order to obtain the passenger count; whenever a user enters, they are designated, and the user is provided with the passenger count and the available buses. The merits are this is highly effective and more convenient than the normal ticketing system. The demerits are more hardware requirements resulting in a high-cost implementation. In the future, a wallet could be provided for the online ticket purchasing system.

3. Methodology

The methodology for implementing a ticketless travel prevention system is a methodical and organized approach designed to address the challenges related to unauthorized travel within public transit networks. This multi-step process begins with a thorough Needs Assessment phase, where the current system’s issues and objectives are identified through surveys, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Subsequently, the Project Planning stage is crucial for defining the project scope, objectives, timelines, and resource allocation, ensuring the project stays on track. The selection of the appropriate technology stack for developing the ticketless travel prevention app and the meticulous UI/UX Design phase to enhance the user experience are pivotal in creating an efficient and user-friendly system. The app Development phase involves integrating the application seamlessly with existing ticketing and payment systems, while the installation of surveillance cameras and validation gates strengthens the system security. Effective training for fare inspectors and staff ensures they can enforce the system efficiently.

A crucial step in the methodology is the Pilot Testing phase, where the system is trailed at a limited scale to collect real-world feedback and make any necessary adjustments. Finally, the system rollout involves deploying the ticketless travel prevention system across the entire transit network, coupled with continuous performance monitoring and data collection for analysis and optimization. This well-structed methodology provides a clear path to implementing a robust ticketless travel prevention system that not only addresses unauthorized travel but also enhances the overall efficiency and user experience of the public transit system (Figure 1).

The following steps can be used:

• Mobile App Development: Java/Kotlin are the native languages for Android and IOS app development, and React Native and Flutter are cross-platform frameworks that allow you to develop apps for Android and IOS using a single codebase.
• Ticket Purchase and Validation: For ticket purchase and validation within the mobile app, you would need secure payment processing using technologies like payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal) and encryption for data security.
• Data Storage and Management: To store passenger data and ticket information, you may use databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL and NoSQL databases like MongoDB and implement cloud services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure) for scalability, data backup, and real-time data synchronization.
• Infrared Sensors: Infrared sensors can be used to detect the presence of passengers at doorways or entrances. The technology here involves infrared sensors and the associated data processing algorithms to determine when a passenger is passing through.
• Machine Learning and Computer Vision: For more advanced fare compliance and security, you can utilize machine learning and computer vision algorithms to identify passengers and validate their tickets. Facial recognition or object detection algorithms could be used for this purpose.
• GPS and Geolocation: To improve the passenger experience and enable real-time tracking of buses and trains, you can use GPS and geolocation technologies. Apps can show the real time location of vehicles and help passengers plan their journeys.
• Communication and Notifications: Implement push notification services (e.g., Firebase Cloud Messaging or Apple Push Notification Service) to send alerts and notifications to conductors if there is mismatch in passenger counts at doorways and the tickets purchased for a particular stop.
• Data Analytics and Reporting: Use technologies like data analytics tools to analyze passenger data and generate reports. This can help in understanding passenger behavior and improving service.
• Cyber Security: Implement robust cyber security measures to protect passenger data, payment information, and the overall system from potential threats. This includes technologies like firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems.
• Backend Services: Develop backend services using technologies like Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Django, or .NET to handle business logic, data storage, and communication between mobile apps and the database.
• APIs and Integration: Create APIs to integrate with other systems, such as transportation management systems, for real-time data exchange and coordination.

4. Results and Future Improvements

The implementation of the ticketless travel prevention system, as outlined in the methodology, is expected to yield several notable results and comparisons. Firstly, it is anticipated to result in a substantial reduction in unauthorized travel and fare evasion within the public transit network. This can lead to significant cost savings for transit authorities and increased revenue collection. Moreover, the system’s comprehensive approach, including the integration of surveillance cameras and validation gates, enhances the overall security on transit systems, making passengers feel safer during their journeys. Comparatively, before the implementation of the system, unauthorized travel incidents were likely more prevalent, leading to financial losses and reduced security. The new methodology allows for a systematic assessment of the system’s performance against these previous challenges. As the system is rolled out across the transit network, data collection and analysis can be used to compare the current state to historical data, providing insights into the system’s effectiveness in curbing unauthorized travel. Additionally, the improved user experience resulting from the well-designed app and user-friendly interfaces can be compared to the previous ticketing systems. Passengers are expected to appreciate the convenience and ease of use, potentially leading to increased ridership. Thus, comparisons can be drawn between ridership and the user satisfaction levels before and after system implementation.

In summary, the proposed ticketless travel prevention system is poised to deliver tangible results in terms of reduced fare evasion, improved security, and an enhanced passenger experience. Comparisons with the pre-implementation period will provide valuable insights into the system’s effectiveness and overall impact on the transit network.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, the implementation of the ticketless travel prevention system, guided by a structured methodology, promises to revolutionize public transit networks. This comprehensive approach has yielded significant security through surveillance cameras and validation gates and improved passenger satisfaction through a user-friendly app. These accomplishments underscore the system’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges associated with fare evasion and ensuring a seamless transit experience.

Looking ahead, there are several avenues for future enhancements. First, continuous monitoring and data analysis will allow for fine-tuning of the system’s algorithms, further optimizing its performance and adaptability. Integration with emerging technologies, such as contactless payment methods and real-time tracking, can enhance the system’s convenience and appeal to a broader range of passengers. Additionally, the expansion of this system to other cities and regions can help standardize and improve public transit across a wider geographical area.

Furthermore, the system can evolve to support eco-friendly initiatives, such as incentivizing public transportation usage to reduce carbon emissions. In summary, the ticketless travel prevention system represents a transformative step in the evolution of public transit, and its future enhancements promise to continually elevate the efficiency, security, and sustainability of urban transportation networks.