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Subject: Yorkshire A Regional Smartcard System for the North-East of England. |
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Author: ERG/PCL 40% Yorkshire (previous to last half year 30/6/02 to the 31/12/02--it was 47.1%) |
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Date Posted: Friday, May 02, 06:20:01am ERG/PCL 40% Yorkshire ----------------------------------------------------------- Captain Cook Voyages of Discovery: ----------------------------------------------------------- Captain James Cook 1728 - 1779 ----------------------------------------------------------- James Cook was born on the 27th October 1728 in the small Yorkshire town of Marton. Unlike the majority of Naval officers of the time he was not the son of rich or noble parents. In fact he was the son of a Scottish farm labourer and a Yorkshire girl. He was intelligent enough to impress his father's employer who paid for the young James Cook's schooling. ----------------------------------------------------------- After he finished school his parents apprenticed him to a grocer in Whitby, where he was not especially happy. It was there, however, that he got a taste for life on the sea. In those days the port of Whitby was a bustling place, always busy with all kinds of ships: fishing vessels, navy ships, and colliers. It was on a collier that Cook served first. ----------------------------------------------------------- In 1755, the year before the Seven Years War broke out between England and France, Cook left his ship and signed up with the Royal Navy. In the Navy James Cook worked his way up through the ranks, eventually rising to command his own vessel, unusual for an enlisted man. His first mission was to map the estuary of the St. Lawrence River prior to a naval assault on Quebec. It was those surveys that made Cook's name, along with the information he obtained from observing and recording an eclipse of the sun in 1766. The surveys were so accurate that they remained in use until the beginning of the Twentieth Century. ----------------------------------------------------------- His surveys and scientific observations, coupled with his own scientific ability and his being in the right place at the right time led to his being chosen to captain the Endeavour in 1768 on a mission to explore the great unknown of the Pacific Ocean and scientifically record everything that was encountered. It was the first of the three great voyages of discovery he led in the South Pacific. ----------------------------------------------------------- James Cook died near the end of the third voyage. He was killed by Hawaiian islanders possibly because of an incident in which one of his lieutenants shot and killed one of the island's chiefs. He died in February 1779. ----------------------------------------------------------- http://clearstation.etrade.com/cgi-bin/bbs?post_id=4187216 ----------------------------------------------------------- Yorkshire will need to be ITSO compliant--this is not a compulsory standard--nevertheless it is one that the UK Gov wants and is the preffered thing for transit operators---Cubics London--last I checked is not ITSO compliant ERG's Manchester is.Yorkshire http://www.erggroup.com/invst_relations/presentations/fullyear300602.pdf Pre-notification Information: A Regional Smartcard System for the North-East of England. ----------------------------------------------------------- North East Regional Smartcard Consortium March 2001 ----------------------------------------------------------- 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 North East Local Authorities, Transport Operators and NEXUS are working together to develop a strategy and governance framework for region-wide multi-application smartcards that can be used for travel throughout the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Darlington, Cleveland and Redcar, Middlesbrough, Stockton on Tees and Hartlepool region, to support local authority public services as well as other commercial applications. The collective geographical area stated above is subsequently referred to as the North East of England. 1.2 This system will be inter-operable, extendable and scaleable to meet requirements in the following areas: Encompass passenger transport concessionary travel, educational travel, prepaid ticketing schemes and operators’ own ticket products Encompass park and ride and car parking applications Encompass bus, tram, rail, ferry, and be extendable to other transport applications, such as taxis and road user charging in the future Encompass e-government applications based around the concept of a citizen card Encompass stored value for various applications Be capable of including commercial applications, including an e-purse Be capable of including a loyalty scheme or schemes rewarding use of one or more of the above products. 1.3 Applications will include details of similar systems that the parties have supplied either jointly or separately for large-scale public transport usage and/or e-government schemes in any part of the world. 1.4 There is a wide range of funding options including PFI partnerships that could be used to finance part or the entire scheme. Applicants are required to outline their position on financial arrangements that will be available introduce a scheme. 1.5 The scheme must be compliant with the emerging ITSO specification. 1.6 Any system offered must be open, extendable and will be non-exclusive. 1.7 The scheme must demonstrate best value in areas including: Technical merit Experience of the bidders Ability to meet the set objectives Compatibility with the ITSO Specifications detailed in this document Financial initiatives 2 System and Service Requirements 2.1 The system will provide for the inclusion of cards carrying multiple applications in order to integrate into city applications, commercial users, loyalty schemes etc. Transport Smart Cards 2.2 Smartcards are envisaged to replace existing current concessionary permits, period tickets and passes in addition they must allow new products to be introduced as required. 2.3 The transport application must allow multiple ticket products to be held on the card and conform to the forthcoming ITSO specification. Current and proposed products include: Concessionary entitlements for young persons, scholars, retired persons, free school passes, disabled people, and blind people. Period tickets giving unlimited travel within the area of validity for different time periods ranging from one day to one year. More flexible period tickets than currently available. For example, allowing use for any three days out of seven. Multiple journey tickets (including inter-operable) Transfer tickets A stored value ticket allowing the fare for both individual and return journeys to be deducted. Tickets as required by the marketing strategy of individual operators Operator based loyalty scheme to reward card users depending on the scheme rules. 2.4 Tyne and Wear and Teeside operate a number of zonal ticketing schemes. Information is sought on how such a scheme will be translated to Smartcard products. 2.5 Provision will be made for the inclusion of anonymous cards within the system. This non-personalised card would support limited stored value, but should be capable of supporting a standard Smartcard ticketing product. 2.6 The transport application must allow multiple ticket products to be held on the card and conform to the forthcoming ITSO specification. Current and proposed products include: Parking, either stand alone or as park and ride 2.7 Although not yet defined, the Smartcard will be capable of supporting any road user charging system introduced. Citizen Applications 2.8 The UK Government has set ambitious targets for the modernisation of public services. Local Authorities have accepted the challenge and agreed to electronically enable 100% of transactions by 2005. Smartcards play a fundamental role in assisting this target being met in that they can provide a vehicle for identification, signature, authentication and entitlement information, which can then be used to verify eligibility and provide services. 2.9 Applicants views are sought as to how interoperable identities, signatures, authentication and in particular joined up and interoperable entitlement might be achieved especially in relation to initiatives such as the UK Government Gateway and European Initiatives to harmonize electronic identities and signatures. 2.10 The local authorities have identified schools management functions as being the most important non-transport use for smartcards. This will be included alongside concessionary transport ticketing for under 16s as a phase one implementation priority. Other public transport products, leisure and library cards are likely to follow in subsequent phases. Education 2.11 Pilot investigations investigating the use of and refining the requirements for smartcards for schools management are already underway in many areas, including the North East. Such schemes are already operating at Benfield School in Newcastle and at Newcastle University and proposed for University of Northumbria. 2.12 In particular, views are sought on the provision of smartcard-based systems enabling interoperable: Identification of staff and students Reward or incentive points for good behaviour, attendance or good work Registration of Attendance Stored value purse De-stigmatised handling of students’ entitlement to free school meals Cashless catering payments independent of catering provision Access control Library membership, loans and renewal Cashless vending 2.13 It is likely that in the future, use of the regional smartcard would be extended to further and higher education establishments, as well as extended to be used in adult education and community schools. 2.14 Views are sought as to how any proposed systems might inter-operate with the national DfEE Connexions card initiative. Channels 2.15 It is desirable that the smartcard(s) issued will be acceptable to access public services through a variety of access media. These may include: Digital TV On street and indoor public access kiosks Customer service points in local authority buildings The internet and World Wide Web Mobile telecommunications 2.16 A number of local authorities already have on street kiosks and customer service points in place. Pilot investigations investigating the use of and refining the requirements for Digital TV are already underway in the North East. Such a scheme is already operating for Newcastle City Council and may be expanded in the near future to include other councils. Social Inclusion 2.17 In particular, we are keen to ensure that any part of any smartcard system is developed to meet the needs of all sections of the community. The smartcard system developed should meet the lifestyle and cultural requirements of children and young people, disabled people and their carers, older people, people with low income, and people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. 2.18 Applicants are requested to illustrate how their proposals address this issue, in particular with regard to how user groups will be involved in the development and operation of systems. 2.19 It is the intention of local authorities not to limit access to services. Applicants are requested to consider users who might not opt in, or later opt out of smartcard related services, such as school meals payment. Continuing Improvement 2.20 Local Authorities are committed to a process termed ‘Best Value’ which seeks to continually challenge the way in which services are provided and provide year on year improvements. 2.21 Applicants are requested to illustrate previous experience and in particular how stakeholders are involved in efficiency and quality improvements of systems. DISTINCT 2.22 Over the past couple of years, regional partners have contributed towards the development of standards for smartcard interoperability through the DISTINCT project. Of particular relevance is the resultant CEN ISSS Workshop Agreement CWA 13987:2000 which establishes a consistent and open interoperable basis for meeting the individual needs of cardholders in terms of services offered and the interface mechanisms used. 2.23 The standard has a range of objectives in support of delivery and integration of public services, and the needs of disabled and disadvantaged people, based upon EN 1332-4. 2.24 Suppliers are requested to demonstrate compliance with the UK Disability Discrimination Act. Other Citizen Applications 2.25 Many other governmental applications will be added to the card over time. Such applications may include interoperable: Electronic voting Electronic requests for service and complaints Library enrolment, membership, reservations, borrowing, renewals and payments for services Leisure centre enrolment, membership, reservations, and payments for services Local authority management including identification, access control, time recording, and cashless catering / vending Advance reservation of car parking On-street and off-street car parking payment Council payment systems Identification / authentication for most council services Entitlement to concessions and reduced price services, separate from the reason for that entitlement 2.26 A supplier must supply evidence that any system can grow to meet the demands of the market. 3 Retail Loyalty 3.1 Several local Smartcard based loyalty and incentive schemes are now in operation and have attempted to generate economies of scale and revenue through signing up brands and local retailers. 3.2 The regional Smartcard must allow a number of different types of loyalty and incentive schemes to reside on the card. 3.3 Views are sought on the possible applications and benefits that a potential supplier could bring to the regional scheme. 4 Commercial Applications 4.1 Of great interest to Nexus and its partners is the possible introduction of commercial applications. 4.2 Views are sought on the possible applications and benefits that a potential supplier could bring to the scheme. 5 Card Branding and Card Association 5.1 It is not the intention that the regional scheme should limit the type and use of card available to the customer. To be a member of the Northeast scheme a supplier must abide by the rules on governance, licensing and inclusion. This will entitle the supplier to display a 'North East' logo on the card and ensures that the card will work with any approved scheme within the region. 5.2 Views are sought on how the grouping of applications may be influenced without preventing the introduction of commercial applications. 5.3 It is envisaged that the providers of the issuance network, grouped applications and enabled access points will form a north east card association to further relationships. 5.4 Views are sought on the possible structure and role(s) of such a card association. 6 Smartcard Technologies 6.1 Applicants are advised that compliance with the ITSO passenger transport t icketing and Distinct interoperability standards is required. 6.2 You are required to state the ISO/CEN and de facto industry standards that the card will conform to. 6.3 For card type, you are required to state operational range and transaction processing speeds. 6.4 Although this document uses the term Smartcard views are sought on the development of the Smartcard chip and the potential to bring initiative products to the market. Of special interest would be: The use of chips in appropriate jewellery for school children The concept of a mobile personal device acting as a Smartcard allowing new information to be transmitted and received via wireless networks. 7 Issuing and Renewals Network 7.1 The issuing and renewal network will be as open and freely available as possible. Views are sought on the provision of a suitable retail network for both card issue and recharge. 7.2 The issuing/renewal network will include at the minimum the following locations: Current transport operator Travelshop locations Suitable council premises Schools Suitable commercial/retail premises Via a suitable internet application (for example schools could link a digital camera/scanner to a PC and capture images as required) 7.3 All issuing stations for personalised cards must be capable of recording customer information and relaying that information to a suitable data store. 7.4 All issuing stations must initially transfer a digital image to the Smartcard. 7.5 All issuing stations must be capable of recharging applications other than those they themselves currently issue. 7.6 All issuing stations must be capable of helping customers with queries or problems as they are expected to form a first line help point. 7.7 For bulk issues and renewals, the use of a bureau service would be of interest. Suppliers are required to state their experience in this area. 7.8 Users should potentially be able to renew and recharge their cards by a variety of means that will evolve over time. Views are sought on the appropriate combination and your ability to deploy the issuing and renewal network that may include: At card issuing stations At agents in local shops Schools Automated ticket machines Via suitable machines in bus stations/Metro stations Via city information points and kiosks On bus Remotely by telephone/credit card By transfer of value from any separate e-purse held on the card By post event billing (similar to credit card) Via wireless technology Via suitable device built into PC Via suitable device built into digital television boxes Any other method the supplier deems suitable 7.9 It is likely that a combination of Contact and Contactless recharge equipment be adopted across the system. 7.10 As some of the recharge points will be at unmanned locations, the equipment must be fit for purpose. 7.11 The recharge points may have to co-exist with existing applications. You will be required to supply the all the necessary information, protocols and interface software to allow third parties to integrate with their own products. Smartcard Readers (TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS) 7.12 Smartcard readers will be fitted to all the buses forming the North East region. The readers should be capable of connection to existing machines on buses. Machines commonly found in the region include; Wayfarer 2 and 3 machines, Almex and ERG machines. 7.13 Smartcard readers will also be fitted to automated ticket machines and potentially barriers in Metro, Northern Spirit stations, bus stations and public transport interchanges. 7.14 For outdoor locations, the readers will be fit for purpose and conform to IP66. 7.15 The readers will, where appropriate include a passenger display. Where feasible, these should adapt to the requirements of users and offer a range of services. 7.16 Proposals are sought on the mechanisms by which the correct fare is calculated for a journey via the use of entry readers only and a combination of exit and entry readers. 7.17 Views are sought on the feasibility of using satellite based location systems to communicate the vehicle position to the ticket machines in order to transact the appropriate fare. 7.18 Existing ticket formats will continue to available alongside Smartcards for some time. The scheme must be capable of acceptance by the national Rail Settlement Plan for the issue of rail tickets in due course. 7.19 Equipment must be approved for use in a rail environment particularly with respect of interference with safety critical installations. 7.20 The scheme will eventually encompass taxi operators within the region. The supplier is asked to confirm that the card reading equipment will be compatible with systems installed in taxis. 7.21 The scheme will eventually include park and ride at a number of interchange points. The suppliers are asked to confirm which parking ticket equipment they can integrate with. 7.22 Information points are to be located at various points within the region that will give customers access to data and information of products on their card, including expiry dates/ remaining balance and listing or recent deductions/journeys. Local Authority / Retail / Commercial Readers 7.23 Readers for these applications will be placed at appropriate points throughout the region. These readers will be at both indoor and outdoor locations. 7.24 For outdoor locations, the readers will be fit for purpose and conform to IP66. 7.25 The readers for these applications will in many cases co-exist with existing applications and products. For example, the information kiosks that are being developed throughout the region will incorporate Smartcard functionality. 7.26 The readers for many applications may have to co-exist with existing applications. You will be required to supply the necessary information, protocols and interface software to allow third parties to integrate the readers with their own products. 7.27 Safeguards and anti-tear processes should be included for all applications to ensure minimal effect on the cardholder if for example; a card is removed mid way through a transaction. 7.28 Cardholders should be able to see generic and application-specific data stored on their smartcard which relates to themselves, their attributes and / or activities. 7.29 An Internet site will be maintained providing details of Smartcard products and allow customers to obtain information about their own card including transaction details and amount of credit/expiry of applications. 7.30 The use of personal pocket readers for customers of the system would be of interest. 8 Back Office Systems. 8.1 Unlike a transport only system, the regional Smartcard will exist in an open commercial environment where applications will be installed, amended and removed as required. 8.2 In order for this to be viable the Back Office System will have to become more than a transaction processing point for transaction information only. The Back Office System(s) may become a regional data farm and the only point at which a Smartcard can be rebuilt if lost or damaged. This is not to advocate the Back Office System as one large system. It may be several small systems operating over the appropriate communications infrastructure. 8.3 Views are sought on how best to set-up and manage the regional system. 8.4 Facilities must be provided to allow the downloading/uploading of data and / or applications from any point in the regional structure. 8.5 The use of wireless LAN would be of special interest. 8.6 The system will allow communication to readers for software updates, hotlisted cards / users and any other information required. 8.7 Views are sought on how hotlisting and revocation might be addressed in a multi issuer and inter related application environment. 8.8 Data submitted from any point must be verified to ensure that it is complete and accurate. Each transaction must be uniquely labelled and securely held on the reader. Security must be such that gaps in data transmission can be easily spotted and corrective action taken. 8.9 Views are sought on the system currency. For example, how often data would need to be downloaded to the Back Office system to maintain system credibility and prevent fraudulent use. 8.10 Data received from interoperable devices that do not belong to the regional scheme must be promptly relayed to the appropriate organisation. Conversely, the system must be capable of receiving information from other Back Office systems relating to schemes being administered by this system. 8.11 Proposals should address the total life cycle security of cards and data, in particular to ensure that confidential information is only made available to authorised parties in agreed formats. We are especially interested in ensuring that the appropriate mechanisms to protect the citizen are implemented. 8.12 Suppliers are requested to demonstrate compliance with the UK Data Protection Act. for both back office and front end systems. 8.13 Similarly, we would seek assurances on the physical security of the Back Office systems and in particular measures to taken against machine failure, data corruption and information data storage policies. 8.14 The Back Office system will reconcile transactions from a variety of sources in accord with commercial agreements defined by scheme participates. 8.15 The Back Office system must be capable of providing various reports for information and management of different schemes. The provision of such information will itself form a commercial agreement defined by a scheme participant. 9 Proposed Developments 9.1 In a scheme of this size, it is not practical or desirable to roll out all applications from day one. An indication of product delivery is as follows: Stage One Education Management Systems Scholars Concessionary Travel Scheme Passenger Transport Operators own products Loyalty Schemes E-purse Car Parking and Park and Ride Stage Two Elderly and Disabled Concessionary Schemes Joint Transport Operator products Further city/government schemes (libraries, leisure) Stage Three Extensions to the above Commercial applications 9.2 You are required to demonstrate that you are able to deliver a Regional Smartcard initiative within this time frame. 10 Collaborative Research and Development 10.1 Local authorities and academic partners from across the region have a history of working with industrial suppliers in developing pre-market applications and business models for the introduction of new services. 10.2 This has enabled the region to gain an international reputation as a centre for excellence in smartcard applications research and development. It is envisaged that the successful applicant(s) would work with local academic partners and local authorities to sustain this position. 11 Management of the Scheme 11.1 The proposal will include information on the management of the scheme and particular reference to the following will be made: The management of the communications infrastructure The management of the data collection The management of the card issuing/renewal network The management of the Back Office system The management of the physical and electronic card real estate. The management of system evolution and development. 11.2 Views are sought on how costs would be allocated to various management structures and on what basis this would occur. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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