A Successful Approach to Bus Tracking Using RFID and Low Power Wireless Networks

Abstract

Heavy dependency on public transport, especially by the middle and lower middle class leading to crowding in buses is a pressing issue in developing countries, that has yet been dealt with in the right manner. The objective of this paper is the design of tracking and management system for a public transportation system using Radio Frequency Identification(RFID). In this work, each bus is tagged with a unique RFID card which gets detected by the RFID receivers at bus stops. The receivers are attached to a low power wireless communication network which immediately updates its status to the cloud server. Data from the cloud server is made available as a simple user interface in the form of a web page or application. This can help the passengers locate the nearest approaching buses which can take them to their destination in the shortest possible time. The scheme can also aid the scheduling authorities to closely monitor the route of buses. The system elucidated in this research work, if implemented properly, can help minimize the rush in buses at peak hours. Such a system is not only beneficial to the public but crucial to the transport industry in avoiding operational losses.