AFC System Overview
The AFC system is an automated solution to provide efficient and convenient ticketing services, thereby enhancing ticketing management efficiency (Toffolo et al., 2021). The system integrates computer technology, information collection and processing technology, and mechanical manufacturing, using computer, communication, network, and automatic control technologies (Volinski, 2018). With is strong intelligent functionalities, the AFC system can automate ticket sales, ticket checking, billing, charging, statistics, sorting, and management processes (Lott et al., 2021).
Compared to traditional paper ticket sales modes, the AFC system overcomes shortcomings of traditional models, such as slow speeds, financial loopholes, high error rate, and significant labor requirements (Yin et al., 2022). Moreover, it can effectively prevent issues like counterfeit tickets and staff negligence, greatly improving management levels and reducing labor intensity (Wang et al., 2022).
This advanced management system has been applied in rail transit across developed countries (Qiu et al., 2022). Initially imported from abroad (Aglibar et al., 2022), AFC equipment for rail transit systems in China has witnessed a large amount of research and development in recent years, leading to constant technological improvements (Mathews, 1989). This progression reflects the evolution of the domestic rail transit AFC system, which has evolved from its earliest stages to an improved method (Ferreira et al., 2021).
As the AFC system finds widespread application in passenger transport management of urban rail transit stations, it has become an important system in the rail transit system. It directly impacts public experience and interaction (Wang et al., 2021). Not only is it a trend in the development of the subway and transportation system, but it is also an important symbol of urban information construction (Wu et al., 2021).
The low-level controller (LCC) system availability is 99.9997, with a mean time to repair standing at about 18 minutes. Upon the initial stage of system opening, the central computer system can ensure that the resource utilization rate will not exceed 50% (Javadinasr et al., 2021). Similarly, the disk array can ensure that the resource utilization rate will not exceed 30% at the initial stage of the system’s opening. For data backup, the hourly backup capacity is set at 432GB/h, with daily business data backup taking four seconds. The recovery time of data backup is one hour. Furthermore, the LCC data accuracy reaches 99.99% (Mo et al., 2022).
Ticketing Center
The ticketing center includes various functions for smooth operation, including ticket distribution, recycling, deployment, personalization, cleaning, and disinfection. It also monitors system status, generates corresponding statistical reports, manages ticket purchase, initialization, counting, and packaging, oversees ticket scrapping and tracking audits, prepares issuance plans, adjusts parameters and settings, conducts self-diagnosis, synchronizes clocks, manages authorities, updates software, and manages data, tasks, and emergency stops.
Within the AFC system, different tickets are found in each layer, ensuring operation management. The ACC has a ticket center for key management, system management, inventory management, and allocation management. LCC features a ticket center, managing online inventory, supervising station inventory production, and overseeing the allocation of tickets online.
At the station level, the station control (SC) is equipped with a station ticket office to manage terminal equipment tickets and the allocation of tickets in the station. The station integrated control room is responsible for monitoring equipment inventory and authorizing the station attendant to replace the ticket box.
Equipment Functions
The AFC system facilitates transaction data collection and the comprehensive statistics and analysis of the line. It manages data, parameters, coding, and authority maintenance centrally, preventing illegal entry, interference, and replication.
Data management includes collection, processing, and security measures to safeguard information and confidentiality.
System operation management includes equipment monitoring and control, passenger flow tracking, system mode monitoring, expansion of the operational mode, and schedule management to ensure smooth operations.
Revenue management includes cash accounting, ticket agency sales, nonimmediate refund application, ticket refund and replacement, revenue accounting and statistics, and reconciliation.
Additionally, the system manages composition, generation, processing, deletion, download, validation, and processing of ticket blacklists to improve security measures (Yao et al., 2021).
System Function
The station fare collection equipment uses real-time monitoring, which ensures clock synchronization between the station computer and equipment within specified time intervals. Monthly statistics on passenger flow, ticketing, and financial revenue are compiled by the computer system. Self-diagnosis features are integrated into the system, allowing for proactive maintenance. The station computer can work offline and has extensive hard disk storage capacity. Maintenance functions are provided, including a data backup function onto floppy disks. A half-hour uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is installed to support the operation of the station computer system. Operation logs and system alarms are recorded. Data transfer functions are available for information exchange. Equipment monitoring includes tracking the operation status of equipment, transactions, communication status, alarms, and the overall system mode. Special pass mode processing, degraded mode handling, and system operation mode management are also included in the system’s functionalities. Emergency mode methods include using the emergency button, fire alarm system triggers, station computer commands, and manual power cut interventions.
AFC Field Terminal Equipment
The ticket vending machine provides an array of functions, including networking operation, road network operation, operation display, ticket selling, stored value ticket processing, audit functions, coin handling, change provision, and security maintenance. In addition, semiautomatic ticket vending machines offer functions of ticket processing alongside basic equipment methods.
Automatic AGMs support equipment networking operation, road network operation, operation display, ticket checking, integrated circuit card processing, access control, audit, ticket recovery, emergency mode activation, two-way ticket checking, and security maintenance. While less frequently used, ticket checkers can serve as ticket inquiry, system introduction, user guidance, and announcements. Portable ticket detectors are used to effectively verify various tickets and display ticket information.