Automated fare collection

Overview

An automated fare collection (AFC) system is the collection of components that automate the ticketing system of a public transportation network – an automated version of manual fare collection. An AFC system is usually the basis for integrated ticketing.

System description

AFC systems often consist of the following components (the "tier" terminology is common, but not universal):

Tier 0 – Fare media Tier 1 – Devices to read/write media Tier 2 – Depot/station computers Tier 3 – Back office systems Tier 4 – Central clearing house In addition to processing electronic fare media, many AFC systems have equipment on vehicles and stations that accepts cash payment in some form.

Fare media

AFC systems originated with tokens or paper tickets dispensed by staff or from self-service vending machines. These have generally been replaced with magnetic stripe cards. Since their introduction in 1996 with the Upass in Seoul, South Korea, and later with Octopus card in Hong Kong in 1997, contactless smart cards have become the standard fare media in AFC systems, though many systems support multiple media types.

More recently, contactless smart cards from bank networks have been seen more frequently in AFC. As contactless digital payments become more prevalent, open-loop ticketing is gaining popularity in public transportation. With an open-loop ticketing system, passengers no longer need to purchase transport cards or tickets. Instead, they can use their cEMV bank cards or mobile wallets to directly pay for their journeys.

Devices to read/write media

These take numerous forms, including:

Ticket office terminals – where a media holder can purchase a right to travel from staff in an office, or enquire as to the value and travel rights associated with the media

Ticket vending machines – where a media holder can purchase a right to travel from a self-service machine, or enquire as to the value and travel rights associated with the media Fare gate – often used in a train station so a media holder can gain access to a paid area where travel services are provided Stand-alone validator – used to confirm that the media holds an appropriate travel right, and to write the usage of the media onto the media for later verification (e.g. by a conductor/inspector). Often used in proof-of-payment systems. On-vehicle validator – used by a media holder to confirm travel rights and board a vehicle (e.g. bus, tram, train) Inspector/conductor device – used by staff such as a conductor to verify travel rights Unattended devices are often called "validators", a term which originated with devices that would stamp a date/time onto paper tickets to provide proof of valid payment for a conductor.

Depot/station computers

Used to concentrate data communications with devices in a station or bus depot. Common in older AFC systems where communication lines to upper tiers were slow or unreliable.

Back office

Servers and software to provide management and oversight of the AFC system. Usually includes:

Fare management – changing of fares and fare products Media management – support for blacklisting of lost/stolen media Reporting – periodic reports on performance of the AFC system, financial details and passenger movements

Clearing house (Central Management System)

In environments where multiple system operators share common, interoperable media, a central system similar to those used in stock exchanges can be used to provide financial management and other services to the operators such as:

Clearing and settling of funds Common reporting Apportionment of revenue between operators

Automated fare collection in Japan

Japanese ticket gates feature a high-speed mechatronic component within an automated fare collection (AFC) gate responsible for processing magnetic stripe paper tickets. This mechanism is distinct from the solid-state contactless readers used for IC cards (such as Suica or FeliCa), though both systems are typically integrated into a single gate. The transport mechanism's primary function is to physically pull a ticket through a series of internal components that read, validate, write new data to, and finally either eject or capture the ticket. These mechanisms are engineered for extremely high throughput, with Japanese railway standards often requiring a processing capability of up to 60 passengers per minute per gate.

Core Mechanical Components

The internal assembly of a magnetic ticket transport system consists of several key modules:

Ticket Separation Module: At the insertion slot, a set of high-friction rollers and belts (an "automatic separation module") is designed to grab a ticket. This module must accurately feed only one ticket at a time into the transport path, even if multiple tickets are inserted in quick succession (such as a base fare ticket and an express supplement). High-Speed Transport Path: A series of belts and precision rollers guides the ticket through the machine's interior at a high, constant velocity. This is critical for ensuring the magnetic read/write heads can process the data stripe accurately. Magnetic Read/Write Heads: The ticket is passed over one or more magnetic heads. A Read Head first scans the magnetic stripe to retrieve existing data, such as the ticket's value, issuing station, and time of entry (if any). A Write Head then encodes new data onto the stripe. For an entry gate, this is typically the station code and time. For an exit gate, this may be a "zeroed" value to invalidate the ticket. Ticket Capture/Ejection Module: After validation, a high-speed solenoid or mechanical diverter actuates. This diverter routes the ticket to one of two paths: Ejection Path: The ticket is returned to the passenger at the exit slot (used for entry, or on multi-use passes). Capture Path: The ticket is diverted into an internal collection bin, signifying the journey is complete and the fare has been collected. Sensors: A network of photo-electric cells (light beams) and mechanical sensors is used throughout the path to detect the ticket's position, prevent jams, and track the passenger's movement through the gate, ensuring the barrier flaps do not close on them.

Process Flow (Magnetic Ticket)

The mechanism's operation differs based on whether the passenger is entering or exiting a paid area.

Entry Process

A passenger inserts a valid ticket. The separation module feeds the ticket into the transport path. The read head scans the ticket to confirm its validity. The internal CPU validates the ticket, and the write head encodes the current station and time data onto the magnetic stripe. The ticket is routed to the ejection path and returned to the passenger, all in approximately 0.7 seconds.

Exit Process

A passenger inserts the ticket, which now contains entry data. The read head scans the entry station and time. The gate's processor calculates the required fare based on the stored journey data. If the fare is valid and paid, the write head may invalidate the ticket, and the capture module solenoid diverts the ticket into the collection bin. If the fare is invalid (e.g., insufficient funds), an alarm sounds, the barriers close, and the ticket is often routed back to the passenger via the ejection path.