MEMORY CARD APPLICATIONS FOR URBAN BUS TRANSIT SYSTEMS

In the late 1970s microprocessor technology merged with the plastic bank card to form what has been termed the "smart card." It is "smart" because it contains onboard intelligence and decision making capabilities, allowing it to perform a certain level of local data processing without the need for access to an external computer system. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential uses of memory cards in the fare collection and maintenance/repair functions for the bus transit industry. This report presents a state-of-the-art analysis of smart card/memory card technology and potential applications within transit operations, specifically fare collection and maintenance recordkeeping. Two scenarios for the use of smart card/memory card technology are provided for fare collection with a broad spectrum of potential uses described for maintenance recordkeeping. The conclusions and recommendations presented in this report are based upon an analysis of the current and expected developments in the memory card field, fare collection and operational procedures in the bus transit industry, and trends in U.S. payment system in general. The findings contained in the report represent the collective efforts of Battelle staff experienced in digital systems and technology, transportation and financial industry systems. The members of the project team have been involved in memory card research since 1979. Technical assistance on the bus transit fare collection and operation aspect was provided by the ATE Management and Service Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Corporate Authors:

  Battelle Columbus Laboratories

  505 King Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43201
• Authors:
  • Darwin, R
  • Stern, R
  • Fowler, B
• Publication Date: 1984-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 136 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Credit cards; Data collection; Fare collection; Information processing; Maintenance management; Microprocessors; Vehicle maintenance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bus maintenance
• Subject Areas: Finance; Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00396403
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-IT-06-0219-12-1Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1985 12:00AM