Automatic fare collection in transit: a synthesis of current practice

Many industries are keeping pace with changing technology in an effort to improve operating efficiency and attract consumers with innovations. The transit industry is no exception, one example being the installation and operation of automatic fare‐collection (AFC) systems. There are many issues to consider in implementing an AFC system, including the type of equipment required and the expected quality of system performance.

This article presents a synthesis of several sources of information pertaining to AFC operations. It includes a discussion of system requirements, and the advantages and disadvantages of system operation. Performance measures of reliability and maintainability are also defined, and AFC systems are evaluated using these measures. Several conclusions are reached concerning current AFC practice.