RFID and GPS Integration for Automated Bus Fare Calculation and Route Optimization

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated IoT-based system combining Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to automate bus fare calculation and optimize route management in public transportation. Each passenger is issued an RFID-enabled smart card that is scanned during boarding and alighting, with GPS coordinates recorded at both points to compute fares based on the actual distance traveled using the Haversine formula. This eliminates the need for conductors and manual ticketing, reducing human error and fare evasion. Continuous GPS tracking provides real-time location and timing data for identifying congestion patterns, optimizing routes, and improving scheduling efficiency. The system integrates with a centralized backend server for storing trip logs, fare details, and route statistics, accessible via mobile and web interfaces for both passengers and operators. Field testing demonstrated 98.5% GPS accuracy, an average transaction time of 3.5 seconds during peak hours, and a 12.5% revenue increase from reduced fare evasion. The proposed model is scalable, cost-effective, and adaptable to diverse urban transit networks, representing a significant step toward smarter, data-driven, and sustainable public transportation systems.