TCRP Report 115: Smartcard Interoperability Issues for the Transit Industry defines interoperability;identifies key information needed by public agencies to implement smartcard payment systems interoperability; describes the necessary information flows; and outlines a set of functions needed for a standard public domain application programming interface (API) that may be used in the development of a uniform application protocol data unit (APDU). The report includes a prototype for an API and an APDU that demonstrates this “proof of concept” for International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compliant Type A and Type B cards.
The report is intended for use by transit decision makers and practitioners to help guide them through the creation and implementation of interoperable smartcard payment systems. Agencies at varying points of creating and implementing an interoperable transit smartcard system will find this helpful.
Smartcards are a secure, widely accepted medium for cashless payments for a wide spectrum of financial transactions, including automatic fare collection (AFC) activities within transit districts. Smartcard electronic payment media systems are operating on transit systems across the nation. Use of smartcards can greatly increase the level of convenience and facilitate transfers for transit riders and can increase efficiency and reduce costs for transit providers. Smartcards used on public transit can have widespread application outside of transit. They can be linked to other modes of transportation (e.g., parking and highway tolls) and other industries such as retail, banking, and security.
Athough seamless smartcard electronic payment system can benefit transit passengers and operators, as well as other potential users, transit operators face substantial challenges in integrating smartcard-based AFC equipment from different manufacturers because of the lack of interoperability. Some examples of the complicating factors are application of multiple fare-payment systems and technologies, transit agencies’ different operating needs and fare mechanisms, inadequate communication protocols and information exchange among transportation clearinghouses, absence of a single API to foster interoperability, and intellectual property barriers that do not allow for open architecture. These problems need to be remedied, before widespread deployment can proceed.
The TCRP researchers, Acumen Building Enterprise, Inc, in association with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., identified the key institutional issues that may present barriers to implementing an interoperable transit fare-payment program, described the commonalities and differences in the information exchanged between agencies, outlined the data elements and information exchanged that are critical for implementing smartcard interoperability, delineated the information flow, and examined critical data management issues and policies. The research team discussed the development of a prototype for a proposed public domain API that demonstrates a “proof of concept” for ISO 14443 Type A and B compliant cards.
