Design of an integrated transit monitoring system based on radio frequency identification

Current transit data collection systems emphasize either passenger counting or vehicle location information. The prototype described in this paper represents the integration of automatic passenger counting with automatic vehicle location to allow the automatic collection of transit system performance. The system involves the incorporation of RF/ID tags into bus passes for the purpose of improving the methods of data collection regarding transit users. Passengers carrying the tags can then be uniquely identified. In addition, RF/ID tags are placed at the bus stops to track the movement of busses along the route. This paper details the system hardware and software architecture, the functionality of the system, passenger and cost considerations, and the application of the system for possible use in route control strategies.