Title

FASTPASS

Abstract

According to the BADTransit report, although the vast majority of trains are on time, more than 14,400 subway riders a day are inconvenienced by a delay or a mechanical problem that forces them off broken trains. With these predicaments, purchasing a fare to travel should be unnecessary worry. In the current transportation system in order for commuters to use the subway, users are made to purchase their Charlie Tickets from a machine. During rush hour, thousands of commuters take the subway. This sudden overflow of users can cause a huge congestion in the system. The last thing commuters would like to do is wait in long lines only to be inflicted with a confusing purchasing system, in order to purchase their entry fare onto the subway. The process of purchasing a Charlie Card is seemingly simple and without flaw to those for whom it has become a customary interaction. Yet to those who are unfamiliar with using this new system, a lack of simplicity and straightforwardness has added extended time to a process designed to reduce overall time. With our newly composed system, commuters will find it very convenient to no longer have to wait in long queues, but instead have the ability to simply walk through the turnstile and be charged as they go. Commuters who regularly travel during rush hour or at the conclusion of a large event know about the frustration that comes with waiting in extended lines for prolonged periods of time. The commute can become quite hectic and exceedingly time-consuming. Keeping this situation in mind, we created the FASTPASS system. This system takes its inspiration from the EZ-pass system which is used in an automatic electronic toll collection system for tolls. In contrast, the FASTPASS system is a system that provides the public with an automatic electronic fare collection system for public transportation, through the use of transponder tags (RFID tag). This system will reduce the wait time for commuters and provide a more convenient way for paying and entering the subway. The system consists of an RFID tag that is embedded in a transit card that a customer can order online. As the customer passes through a designated system, a light will flash to verify that the transaction is being approved and recorded to the FASTPASS of the users and the account of the FASTPASS. The FASTPASS account then bills the users according to their payment option of either a credit card or automatic deduction from a checking account, which can be done with the help of any banking system. Our system will also have an online web client that will allow users to create and update their FASTPASS account through the use of any computer. This will mean that consumers will no longer have to wait in lines to purchase a token or a Charlie Card. The current systems that are in place require the purchase of Charlie Tickets prior to entry in to the subway. Since our system will no longer require consumers to stop and purchase a Charlie Card or Ticket, it will prove to be much faster and more efficient than the system presently in place. The FASTPASS system facilitates a faster, more efficient, and secure service.

Notes

Capstone design 2 final paper for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering course U792 advised by Pr. Meleis

Subject Categories

Subways--Fares, Computer systems--Technological innovations

Keywords

subway, Radio frequency identity tag, commuters

Disciplines

Engineering

Publisher

Northeastern University

Publication Date

2007

Rights Holder

Northeastern University


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