LTK Engineering Services is providing long-term fare collection consulting services to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).  The contract has four phases:

• Evaluation of alternatives
• Implementation planning
• Design and specification preparation
• Procurement, installation and test support

LTK examined existing operations and fare policy to identify agency needs, objectives and priorities. We then worked with the RTA to examine several system-wide alternatives and specific options related to each mode of transit. 

LTK was able to help the RTA build a business case for procuring a new system to replace its aging equipment.  The new system continues use of magnetic fare cards for on-board sale of single-ride fares and day passes, and introduces smart cards for pre-paid fares.  Proof-of-payment fare collection is also introduced on the rail system and a new BRT line. 

In Phase 2, LTK prepared a detailed system description document that details how the system will operate.  LTK also developed an implementation plan outlining tasks and responsibilities to guide the RTA in preparing for the new system. 

In Phase 3, LTK prepared technical specifications and assisted with contract language to ensure that all components of the contract documents — terms and conditions, instructions to proposers and technical specifications — are consistent and unambiguous.  In addition to a number of in-house reviews, an industry review of the draft specifications was conducted, as an extra step to ensure the documents are clear, thorough and not unnecessarily design specific. 

Two contracts and technical specifications were prepared and advertised: one for the on-vehicle components of the system; the other for the in-station and back-office portion, with responsibilities for system integration.  In Phase 4, LTK supported the RTA in the technical evaluation of the proposals received.  With the award of the contracts, LTK continues to advise RTA on technical matters and will support the agency throughout design review, installation, testing and commissioning of the system.

Assisting Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Department of Transportation in ensuring the success of the Hiawatha Corridor LRT project, LTK provided engineering design, technical specifications, procurement management services, and comprehensive testing oversight for the entire fare collection system.

The Hiawatha Corridor fare collection system consists of Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), Smart Card Validators, Smart Card Point-of-Sale Terminals, and Hand-Held Fare Inspector Terminals, all of which communicate with a sophisticated central computer system.  TVMs serve as the primary means of distributing magnetic fare media, as well for the replenishment of smart cards. The single-ride and day-pass tickets issued by the TVMs are fully compatible with the region’s current magnetic ticket-based bus fare collection system, used by Metro Transit and 12 other regional service providers.  Equally important to the success of the system is the point-of-sale terminals, smart card validators and portable terminals for fare inspectors.  Together these components form an effective single smart card fare system solution that is being used on all transit modes, and by all of the region’s service providers.

In addition to LTK’s work on the Hiawatha Corridor system, we provided design engineering, technical specifications, complete procurement management services, and testing oversight to Metro Transit for the upgrade of bus fare collection system for all of the region’s 13 bus service providers.  The new bus AFC system accepts the smart card fare media used by the Hiawatha Corridor, as well as the original magnetic fare media. On-board smart card processors interface with the pre-existing Siemens “smart bus” system for driver displays and controls, login information, as well as GPS-based location information.  The bus smart card processors also use wireless modems to communicate with agency computers.

In a final step to integrate the area’s fare collection system, LTK and the Minnesota Department of Transportation worked together to define the fare collection system for the Northstar Corridor commuter rail system. Anticipating the need for integration, LTK included the Northstar AFC system requirement in the specifications for the Hiawatha Corridor systems.  With all of the area’s fare systems emanating from a single specification, the region’s transit passengers will have access to an easy-to-use, fully integrated, state-of-the-art fare collection system.

LTK is providing technical and procurement support services to SEPTA for the replacement of its existing fare payment and collection system with a state-of-the-art, integrated, electronic fare payment, distribution, collection and processing system.  This system is based on a comprehensive “best practices” assessment of modern technologies in the consumer and fare payment sectors and is capable of interfacing with both bank and non-bank financial clearing systems for transaction processing and settlement.  The system, designated the “New Payment Technologies” (NPT) system, will be a flexible payment and collection system that uses new payment technologies and smart media.  NPT will support multiple ways for SEPTA passengers to pay fares on its transit services, such as: SEPTA-issued smart card and magnetic media; debit, credit and prepaid cards; bank payment devices such as contactless cards, fobs, cell phones and other devices; as well as cash.

The NPT System will be deployed across all of SEPTA’s transportation modes, including buses, light rail vehicles (trolleys), rapid transit, commuter rail, paratransit services and SEPTA’s parking system.  The integrated, electronic NPT System includes fare vending devices; smart media processors on turnstiles, faregates, and onboard surface vehicles; a central data collection and reporting system; and various services including an outsourced customer support center as well as revenue and maintenance services for the procured system elements.

LTK is responsible for development of the summary systems requirement specification as well as operations analysis documentation to support the system design decision process.  LTK developed the detailed technical specification as well as other procurement documents including the price forms, engineer’s estimate and various other contractual supporting documents.  LTK is currently providing support for the on-going procurement process including development of detailed responses to vendor questions and development of procurement addenda.  Once the proposals are received, LTK will provide support during the vendor evaluation process and will develop documentation to support award of the contract. 

LTK is performing a study of the feasibility of implementing a regional transit farecard for the Sacramento region which includes 14 transit agencies of different sizes, modes and customer bases.  The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is undertaking the study on behalf of the transit agencies in the region’s six counties.  The objective is to provide information and analysis so that the participating agencies can make an informed decision on implementing a regional farecard. 

LTK’s work has involved examining and presenting available technology and options in their application, evaluating alternative approaches to their implementation in the Sacramento region and then supporting SACOG in gaining consensus among the agencies on how to proceed.  The project includes a study of existing system characteristics, interviews of transit system management of each agency, round table discussions of non-transit partners – employers, state offices, social services, schools and universities – on potential benefits; and a number of transit rider focus groups. 

State-of-the-art in fare system technology has been presented to the participating agencies.  Alternative strategies have been developed and associated costs and benefits identified, so that the agencies can make informed decisions and a consensus can be reached on the next steps.  Encouraged by the study findings, SACOG has programmed funds for future phases to design, procure and implement a regional smart card system.  The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) and a number of connecting transit operators have expressed interest and are likely first-phase participants in a regional smart card system.