RFID and Android based smart ticketing and destination announcement system

Abstract

In India, the most widely used public transport system is the ready-to-go-bus facility. However, this ‘ready-to-go’ facility is not as smooth as the need of the hour, particularly in today's congested metropolitan cities. Standing in long queues at bus stands, quarrelling with conductors for trifle matters make the journey uncomfortable for the passengers. That is why; we have proposed an idea for implementing smart card technology for ticketing the passengers travelling in bus. The smart card is mainly based on latest Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. For this purpose, an interface is built between RFID setup and driver's mobile phone using a specifically developed Android app “SwipeNgo”. The interface helps to send passenger ID from RFID reader to the driver's mobile phone via Bluetooth. The developed “SwipeNgo” app is installed in driver's mobile phone and receives passenger ID from the RFID card reader via interface when passenger get into the bus. Along with the passenger ID, “SwipeNgo” also keep records of the stoppage name/no. into database in mapping with the Global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. The exact fare between source and destination is calculated and deducted from the balance when the passenger gets down from the bus. This information regarding balance is also sent to the RFID setup where the fare is displayed. There is a separate announcement system which alerts the passengers prior to the next halt.