Ergonomics and Financial Improvements On Passenger Train Fares Collection

RFID technology is an innovation that provides a wide range of uses such as logistic, supply chain simplicity, inventory tracking control, and much more which are currently used by many industrial facilities. Implementing RFID on commuter trains can lead to the ergonomic and financial improvements of passenger train fare collection system. For example, Metra is one of the biggest modes of transportation in Illinois today that serves approximately 6 millions trips per month via 11 Metra lines. With these busy day to day operations, conductors are asked to manage both passenger safety and collect train fares manually. This is not an optimal solution to an effective and efficient process as it is time-consuming, violates many ergonomic principles and causes revenue lost. Metra’s current process produces many human errors while heavily relying on conductor’s memory to verify whether or not the ticket has been checked. For the invention, the goal is to treat RFID system as an access control system to the seats of the train. The system will work as a tracking and identification system to verify tickets. Selected types of train tickets should be in the form of RFID cards while all train seats are to be installed with RFID readers. The verification of the “collected tickets” will be linked to LED light bulb system, that is connected to RFID reader, letting conductor know that passenger has scanned his or her ticket. Similarly, if nothing is scanned, the LED light bulb would remain off. By implementing RFID system on Metra Trains, general passenger comfort level will increase as well as it will save all conductor’s time and reduce their risk of enduring injury. Tickets will now be checked more effectively and efficiently, profiting Metra with an estimated 30 million dollars for the next 10 years (net present value).