Smart-card proximity sensor

Smart-card proximity sensors are devices that can detect the presence of a smart-card or other user device within their reading range. Proximity sensors are based on RFID.

The objective of proximity sensors is to detect the customer’s device without requiring the user to interact directly with the system. In the passenger transport sector, this supports inspection and validation of fare products.

This is an innovative domain, still in development. Some demonstrations have been conducted, and the technology is regarded with high interest. Nonetheless, it has not yet become established.

In the passenger transport sector, proximity sensors are used for detecting persons within the transit area, and using this information to support fare collection.

The primary emerging application is “Be-in, Be-out” – BIBO. BIBO systems identify the point of entering the transit system by detecting the presence of the user device. It continues to detect the presence of the device as long as the user remains within the transit system, and when it no longer detects the presence, it assumes that the user has exited the system. The tariff is calculated and charged against the user’s account.

Benefits of proximity sensors are:

• Supports BIBO services.
• BIBO does not require any processing or customer interaction at time of boarding, and hence reduces dwell times at stops.
• Tap-on, tap-off style fare products can be implemented without the user inconvenience or delays of validation on exit.
• The customer’s journey is detected from time of entry to time of exit. The correct tariff is calculated, regardless of customer actions. This reduces the potential for overriding by customers.

Cautions with regard to proximity sensors are:

• The technology is still at the innovative stage, with only a limited amount of practical experience.
• There may be problems with reliability of device detection.
• The “walk-on, walk-off” mode of use can make revenue protection more difficult.
• There are privacy concerns, including the possibility that the user device may be detected and tracked at locations other than the transit system.