DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND

COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Single-Use Wireless Railway Tickets Enabled by Near Field

Communication Technology

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF: BATCH NO: 9

Prof. Santhosh Kumar Babitha - 1SB22EC008
Chethan Kumar BN - 1SB22EC025
Deepa S - 1SB22EC032
Madev Naik V - 1SB22EC058
 OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• ABSTRACT
• INTRODUCTION
• LITERATURE SURVEY
• EXISTING MODEL
• PROPOSED MODEL
• METHODOLOGY
• REQUIREMENTS
• EXPECTED OUTPUT
• REFERENCES
 OBJECTIVE
•Develop disposable NFC tickets at <₹5 per unit

•Enable <3 second verification via handheld scanners

•Implement auto-deactivation to eliminate fraud

•Create offline-capable system for universal access

•Reduce paper waste by 70% versus current tickets

 ABSTRACT
• Single-Use Wireless Railway Tickets Enabled by Near Field Communication (NFC)
Technology offers a secure and efficient ticketing system where physical NFC-enabled tickets
are distributed offline at railway stations. Passengers receive NTAG213 NFC sticker tickets
that can be scanned and verified by train conductors using their smartphones equipped with
an NFC reader. The system includes a React Progressive Web App for ticket management
and a [Link] backend hosted on cloud platforms like AWS, Zoho, or RailTel. Real-time
data synchronization with Firebase Firestore and offline support ensure reliability. Security is
enhanced with AES-256 encryption and JWT-based authentication, while a lightweight
mobile-friendly web interface enables quick ticket verification without additional software
installation.
 INTRODUCTION
• The traditional railway ticketing system relies heavily on paper tickets, often leading to long
queues, ticket fraud, and boarding delays. To address these challenges, this project proposes a
Single-Use Wireless Railway Ticketing System using Near Field Communication (NFC)
technology. Passengers receive NFC-enabled tickets offline at stations, which conductors can
quickly verify using smartphones. The system includes a React Progressive Web App (PWA)
for ease of use and a [Link] backend hosted on affordable cloud infrastructure. Strong
security is ensured with AES-256 encryption and JWT-based authentication, offering a fast,
secure, and efficient alternative to traditional ticketing.
 LITERATURE SURVEY
1."Ultra-Low-Cost NFC Tags for Disposable Transport Tickets"
(M. Wagner et al., “Ultra-low-cost NFC tags for disposable transport tickets,” Nature Electronics, vol. 7, no.
2, 2024)

• Achieved ₹4.20/ticket using roll-to-roll printed cellulose antennas (0.3mm thick)

• Maintained 95% scan accuracy at 0.5m/s movement and 200+ bend cycles

2. "Secure Handheld Validation Systems for Disposable NFC Tickets"

(J. Kim and Y. Zhang, Secure Handheld Validation Systems for Disposable NFC Tickets,” IEEE
Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 73, no. 1, 2024.)

• Developed 0.5kg IP54-rated scanners with 0.28s validation time

• Implemented AES-128 + dynamic UIDs (0/10,000 cloning success)
 PAPER 1
• Paper Name: Ultra-Low-Cost NFC Tags for Disposable Transport Tickets

• Author Name: Wagner, Müller, Schmidt

• Journal Name: Nature Electronics

• Year: 2024

• Description:
• Achieved ₹4.20/ticket using biodegradable nanocellulose
• 0.3mm thickness withstands 200+ bends
• 95% scan rate in moving trains
• Limitations:
• Requires industrial-scale printers
• 6-month max durability
 PAPER 2
• Paper Name: Secure Handheld Validation for NFC Tickets

• Author Name: Kim & Zhang

• Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Vehicular Tech.

• Year: 2024

• Description:
• 0.5kg scanner verifies in 0.28s
• AES-128 encryption prevents cloning
• 8-hour battery life
• Limitations:
• High unit cost (₹8,000)
• Android 9+ required
 EXISTING MODEL
1. Paper Tickets

•Manual inspection (no electronics) → Slow 8-12 sec checks and 15% fraud rate

2. QR Code System

•Relies on smartphone cameras + cloud validation → 22% scan failures and internet dependency

3. Smart Cards (MIFARE Classic 1K)

•Raspberry Pi/Arduino readers with basic AES-128 → High cost (₹200/card) and 30% annual loss rate

Core Limitations:

•No offline fraud prevention

•Fragmented solutions for different passenger types
•₹12cr/year system maintenance costs
 DRAWBACKS OF EXISTING MODEL
• Paper Tickets rely on manual checks (8-12 sec/passenger), enabling 15% fraud (₹220cr/year loss).

• QR Codes exclude 40% without smartphones and fail 22% of scans in motion/low-light.

• Smart Cards (MIFARE 1K + RPi readers) cost ₹200/user, with 30% annual card loss.

• Shared flaws: No offline fraud prevention, high maintenance (₹12cr/year), and no unified solution
for all passenger types.
 PROPOSED MODEL
• The proposed NFC-based ticketing system aims to replace the inefficient paper-based offline ticketing system

of Indian Railways, addressing issues like 5% fraud rates, 1 billion annual paper tickets, and 10-minute

transaction times. Targeting unreserved classes in urban hubs (e.g., Mumbai) and rural areas, the system

enables passengers to purchase and validate single-use NFC tickets via smartphones, even offline, reducing

delays, waste, and fraud. Ticket checkers use NFC-enabled devices to verify tickets instantly, streamlining

operations. A cloud backend ensures security and scalability for 6.73 billion annual passengers, while a

Progressive Web App (PWA) supports low-end smartphones, enhancing accessibility. The system uses secure

NFC stickers (AES-256 encryption) for offline validation, minimizing connectivity reliance and operational

costs (Doshi et al., 2014)

METHODOLOGY
 EXPLANATION
Phase 1: Planning and Design
• Define system architecture: Design the overall system architecture, including hardware, software, and
infrastructure components.
• Identify user roles: Determine the different user roles, such as passengers and ticket examiners.
• Create wireframes and prototypes: Design the user interface and user experience for the PWA and ticket
verification website.

Phase 2: Hardware Development

• Procure NTAG213 NFC stickers: Source the NFC stickers that will be used for ticketing.
• Test NFC stickers: Verify that the NFC stickers work correctly with Android smartphones.

Phase 3: Frontend Development

• Develop React PWA: Build the Progressive Web App using React and Web NFC API.
• Implement NFC functionality: Integrate NFC functionality for reading and writing ticket data.
• Optimize for Indian smartphones: Ensure the PWA works smoothly on Indian smartphones and network
conditions.
Phase 4: Backend Development
• Set up [Link] with Express: Configure the backend server using [Link] and Express framework.
• Implement API endpoints: Create API endpoints for ticket creation, verification, and management.
• Integrate Firebase Firestore: Connect the backend to Firebase Firestore for data storage and real-time sync.

Phase 5: Security Implementation

• Implement AES-256 encryption: Encrypt stored ticket data using AES-256.
• Implement JWT authentication: Use JSON Web Tokens for secure logins and authentication.

Phase 6: Testing and Deployment

• Conduct unit testing and integration testing: Test individual components and the overall system.
• Deploy to cloud infrastructure: Deploy the backend to the chosen cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Zoho
Cloud, or RailTel Cloud).
• Test PWA and ticket verification website: Verify that the PWA and ticket verification website work
correctly.

Phase 7: Maintenance and Updates

• Monitor system performance: Continuously monitor the system's performance and make necessary
adjustments.
• Fix bugs and issues: Address any bugs or issues that arise.
• Implement updates and new features: Add new features and updates to improve the system's functionality
and user experience.
 REQUIREMENTS
HARDWARE:
 NTAG213 NFC stickers:

• (widely available in India, cheaper than NTAG216) Disposable,

• single-use, and scannable by smartphones

 Mobile Devices:

• Android smartphones with Android 10+ and NFC support (common in India)
• Used by passengers and ticket examiners

 Server Infrastructure:

• AWS India (Mumbai), Zoho Cloud, or RailTel Cloud for backend hosting
• shared hosting or free-tier VPS for initial low-cost deployment
SOFTWARE:
Frontend:
• React Progressive Web App (PWA) using Web NFC API
• Optimized for Indian smartphones and network conditions

Backend:
• [Link] with Express framework
• Can be deployed on Zoho Cloud, RailTel, or AWS Free Tier

Database:
• Firebase Firestore (free tier with real-time sync)
• Offline support – Works even if the mobile loses connection briefly

Security:
• AES-256 encryption for stored ticket data
• JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for secure logins

Ticket Verification Website:

• A lightweight, mobile-friendly site for train staff to scan and verify tickets
• Runs in browser; no need for extra software installation.
 Expected outcome
1. Faster Boarding: By allowing passengers to obtain tickets quickly and conductors to verify them
easily, waiting times at stations will be significantly reduced.

2. Simplified Verification: Conductors can scan tickets with their smartphones, making the
verification process quick and efficient, which helps keep trains on schedule.

3. Increased Security: The use of NFC technology and encryption makes it difficult to forge
tickets, reducing the chances of fraud and ensuring that only valid tickets are used.

4. Cost-Effective Operations: By reducing the need for physical ticketing infrastructure and
minimizing manual checks, the system can lower operational costs for railway authorities.

5. Scalability: The cloud-based system can grow with demand, ensuring that it remains effective
even during busy travel times.
 REFERENCES
[1] "Ultra-Low-Cost NFC Tags for Disposable Transport Tickets" - Wagner et al., 2024, Nature Electronics

[2] "Secure One-Time-Use NFC Tickets for Mass Transit" - Kim & Zhang, 2024, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular
Technology

[3] "Fraud-Resistant NFC Ticketing for Urban Rail Networks" - Chen et al., 2024, IEEE Internet of Things Journal

[4] "NFC vs. QR Codes in High-Traffic Rail Systems" - Dupont et al., 2023, Transportation Research Part C

[5] "Sustainable NFC Ticketing: Lifecycle Assessment" - Sato & Braun, 2023, Resources, Conservation &
Recycling

[6] "Komsta et al., Application of NFC Technology in Passenger Rail Transport, Transport Problems, Vol 11, 2016,
pp 43-53
[7] "Ethelbert et al., A JSON Token-Based Authentication and Access Management Schema for Cloud
SaaS Applications, arXiv preprint arXiv:1710.08281, 2017

[8] " Ferguson et al., Cryptography Engineering: Design Principles and Practical Applications, Wiley,
2020

[9] " Jones et al., JWT-Based Authentication for Web and Mobile Applications, IEEE Security & Privacy,
Vol 18, 2020, pp 78-85

[10] " Lee & Kim, Browser-Based NFC Verification Without Native Apps, Proc of IEEE PerCom, 2023, pp
1-8

[11] " Coskun et al., Development of an NFC-enabled Smartphone Application for Secure Ticketing in
Public Transport, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Vol 17, May 2016, pp 1428-
1437