Introduction

STraffic has signed a contract for the 'Speed Gate Ticket Issuing Machine Improvement Manufacturing Purchase and Installation Project' ordered by Seoul Metro. This project includes the establishment and pilot operation of a tagless system using contactless public transportation payment methods such as tagless and QR codes for the first time in the Seoul Metro operation section. The tagless system is a new concept payment method that allows passengers to pass through ticket gates and pay fares using wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth applied to smartphones, without tagging a transportation card to the terminal. Passengers can conveniently board and disembark without tagging a transportation card, even when carrying luggage. This system is currently being introduced in some subways and buses.

[The Evolution of Speed Labeling- provided by STraffic]

Benefits

With the rise of "Untact"(touchless) technology to safeguard ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatened human healyh and significantly impacted economic activities worldwide since 2020, the subway system has faced a massive wave of a concept of "Untact". In line with these technological advancements, Seoul Metro decided to implement "Tagless System", a touchless payment solution designed to enhance citizens' psychological comfort and minimize the risk of infection. A pilot program for the Tagless Gate was launched in June 2024 for station staff.

Solution

STraffic representative stated, "We have embarked on building a new-concept transportation card system by combining UWB (Ultra Wide Band) technology, which is emerging as the next-generation wireless communication technology, with Bluetooth technology, and integrating it with subway gates. As this technology enables boarding and alighting without tagging transportation cards, it will enhance the convenience for passengers, including those with transportation challenges. Furthermore, with the world's first commercialization of this technology in the subway fare collection sector, we expect to secure another competitive product for expansion into overseas markets."

[Process for tagless payment solution]

Result

STraffic plans to apply Bluetooth technology to improve speed gate ticket issuing machines in 70 stations and 174 gates, and simultaneously establish a "tagless system" in 10 gates of 4 stations operated by Seoul Metro (Yongdap Station on Line 2, Oksu Station on Line 3, Dongjak and Sadang Stations on Line 4). Since Bluetooth technology is applied to all smartphones, it is expected that the majority of users will benefit when it is fully introduced to urban railways.

To accurately charge users' fares, STraffic plans to design and reflect the minimization of the Bluetooth location measurement error range (approximately 1-3 meters). In addition, UWB (ultra-wideband) technology, which can measure locations more accurately (error range of 5-10 cm), will be applied to the new speed gate ticket issuing machines in parallel, aiming for the world's first commercialization through technology verification.

Next-generation wireless communication technology, UWB technology, is widely used in real life for precise location measurement for industrial site safety, smart car keys, and more. As the number of smartphone models adopting UWB technology used in premium smartphones gradually increases, it is expected that a transportation card system based on UWB technology will be adopted as a global standard in the future.

Seoul Metro plans to conduct a six-month pilot operation of the "tagless system" targeting its employees to verify the technology. After that, through consultations with related organizations, the system will be expanded to all stations so that general passengers can also use it.

    [Tagless system installed at Oksu Station]

▶ Pilot Operation and Future Plans

• A six-month pilot operation targeting employees of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation has concluded

• After verifying the technology, plans to expand to all stations and allow use by general passengers through consultations with relevant institutions.

Here is vide clip to explain speed gate. 

https://youtu.be/HykJ0ruIRuo

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