To develop and deploy (based on the outcome of the current Smart Card identification and Payment Initiative's institutional and functional requirements) a smart card pilot demonstration project for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Public Mobility Program. The project would implement a smart card for client identification, payment and rider/trip analysis applications and would incorporate the current networked computer aided dispatching and related technology applications.

For Phase 2, the Public Mobility Program will partner with James Madison University in the development of Mobile Data Terminal software that will make effective use of the smart card data to 1) verify and track client usage; 2) assist the driver with potential client issues and needs; and, 3) track client trips by trip segment for appropriate electronic billing.

The Regional Interface Specification (RIS) was developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to enable interoperability between transit agencies for smart card based fare payment in the New York City region, and is of interest as a potential mechanism to establish interoperability for smart card based fare payment between transit agencies throughout the I-95 Corridor. The NSV project specification will be developed to be consistent with the RIS, including use of the ISO 14443 Type A contactless interface communications protocol, message sets, data dictionary and security protocols involved in communications between the smart card and the card reader. The project will also extend the message sets and data dictionary as needed to address the specific requirements for the agencies, vendors and functions involved. For example, the Card Holder Profile Object data may need to be extended to include a unique card holder identification number.

The pilot demonstration project would be supported by:

1) The ongoing development and implementation of technology applications through the Northern Shenandoah Valley Public Mobility Program. The program serves as the home for the participating agencies and the smart card program.

2) The development of the Public Mobility Program's regional and smart card architecture. The development of the Program's architecture has been discussed with the Virginia Department of Transportation, which has agreed to incorporate the development of the architecture (Public Mobility and
smart card) in the development of the Department's regional architecture for the Staunton District.

Participating Agencies:
Northwestern Community Services
Access Independence
Frederick County Department of Social Services
Northwestern Workshop
Shenandoah Valley Community Residences
Shen-Paco Industries
Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging
Warren County Workshop
Virginia Department of Transportation
Virginia Dept of Rail & Public Transportation
James Madison University
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Federal Transit Administration

Procurement Agency: None
Project Contact: Bill Stoeckert, I-95 Corridor Coalition
Phone: 860-489-3443, E-mail: wstoeckert@yahoo.com

To test and evaluate the feasibility, functionality and requirements for a rural, human service - transit based smart card application:

• To demonstrate the interoperability of an electronic fare medium in a largely rural region, and among human service and public transportation providers

• To demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of such fare medium in planning,operating, and administering transportation services

• To document the value of an electronic fare medium in managing entitlements for constituents who are disabled, older, and economically disadvantaged.

Task 1 Title: Individualized Electronic Payment Device

Task 1 Description:

This describes the individual card in use. There are two basic considerations: the security of protected individual information (applications of HIPAA-Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act), and; ease of use for individuals with compromised mobility and dexterity.

Task 1 Deliverables:

‘Contactless’ fare card (SmartCard) that will satisfy these considerations by collecting, storing, reporting data in a secure fashion that provides ease of use for persons with cognitive, physical, or sensory limitations.



Task 2 Title: Mobile Data Computers

Task 2 Description:

These devices will access a wireless connection between pilot participating agencies and the Program server hosting the Public Mobility Program’s scheduling & coordination application. They will comply with any Regional Interoperability Standard (RIS) established, which is to say that the devices, software, and fare media used in this project will permit the individual rider access to public and/or specialized transportation, whichever is appropriate for a particular trip, and will support accurate accounting and billing for trip segments by any participating transportation provider .

The software and wireless communications interface for this project will be developed by RouteMatch and its partner agencies that support products designed with an open architecture. An open architecture facilitates interoperability by accommodating users (cardholders) from other systems; a proprietary system, generally, prohibits this accommodation except for users of like systems. The deliverable will be compatible with the scheduling and coordination technology application already deployed in the Public Mobility Program, and will enhance the management of information for transportation planning and operations within the region served by the Public Mobility Program.

Task 2 Deliverables:

Fully functioning devices will read information from individual smart card in order to:
1. produce a trip segment manifest for drivers
2. identify & display any rider special needs (including emergency contact information)
3. identify, verify driver information regarding trips and vehicle runs
4. display a vehicle trip manifest, in tabular and graphic (map) formats


Task 3 Title: Transportation Information Management Database

Task 3 Description:

A comprehensive database for transportation information management on customer, agency, transportation service provider, by trip reservation, vehicle, driver, and financial elements.

Task 3 Deliverables:

A complete array of transportation data for individuals served.

View PDF file of Scope of Project.

This project has been canceled.

This project has been canceled.

Funding for the smart card pilot deployment will be:
$150,000 I-95 Corridor Coalition

Match Funds ($ 150,250)
$38,500 Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging
$51,750 Northwestern Community Services
$60,000 Commonwealth of Virginia

The total of Match funds are ‘hard’, that is, used exclusively for the transportation services on which this project will be launched: in the cases of Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging and Northwestern Community Services, these are allocations from Frederick County, Virginia to the respective agencies that are used in transportation service; the funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia are for a demonstration project being operate.

As of July 2006, this project has been canceled.