Smartcards are one way of using new technology to better manage transport, and Nottingham is at the forefront of use of this technology. NCT (Nottingham City Transport) uses more smartcards than any other bus company, while Nottingham City Council’s Citycard combines its concessionary fares scheme on public transport with other council services and special offers. Nottinghamshire County Council uses smartcards for concessionary travel too.
Nottingham Trent University has a pioneering smartcard scheme that brings together the use of car parks, travel on public transport and university services – including, for example, use of the library.
Nottingham Trent University’s Innovative Smartcard Scheme – Easing Transport and Much More…
Using smartcard technology has enabled Nottingham Trent University (NTU) to simplify its administration and to reduce costs and resources, while bringing with it major benefits for transport planning.
Each card contains a chip designed to be compatible with a number of different systems so that they can be used in a variety of ways.
Having identified the obvious advantages of having one card for many uses (identification, door access, student services etc.), NTU introduced its first integrated card back in 1998; since then the card has had many new functions added:
The NTU Smartcard:
1998 – First card introduced in August for ID, door access and library book retrieval
2000 – Student Union services added
2001 – Card becomes compatible with Nottingham City Transport’s bus pass
2002 – Card used to access NTU car parks
2004 – Card becomes compatible with Nottingham’s new tram network
2008 – Card can be used to pay for food and drink at NTU cafes
Reaping Rewards: The Smartcard Dividend
At Nottingham Trent University, smartcards have revolutionised the administration process – reducing both costs and resources. The system has also enabled the formation of key partnerships with other organisations, and created a better experience for employees and end users alike.
“The smartcards have delivered three major benefits: greater integration of services; a more cost-effective process; and an improved customer service. Overall, we estimate that we’ve saved at least a third of our human resource and system costs.” NTU
The NTU smartcard has brought benefits in many areas, including identification and security, access management, and data collection. But it’s transportation which has perhaps seen the most benefit.
Using touch-screen technology, the smartcard allows users to pay for bus, tram and car-parking services. In addition, users can access public transport information.
“We are a minimum of a 16-hour operation – the smartcard allows movement between buildings and transport across the city.” NTU
“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that works really well – in September, new students immediately get into the habit of using public transport in the easiest and most convenient way possible.” Nottingham City Transport
How It Works: Car Parking
NTU’s car parking management system uses smartcard technology to control five car parks. Information from each card, read by the control panel, is fed through to a ‘back office’ database so that a picture can be built up of car park usage. NTU then allocates parking under a number of categories, including pool cars, reserved and allocated parking, and spaces for priority users, as well as first-come-first-served members of staff.
“We didn’t previously know with any great accuracy the number of people who had an expectation to park. Smartcards have helped us create a strategy to allocate parking spaces to students and staff.” NTU
“An intelligent smartcard system for the University’s five car parks makes best use of resources and minimises the cars crawling around looking for a space. It gives users certainty about availability and gives the university a database which will allow it to develop and refine its transport plans.” Chair of the Commission for Integrated Transport
Car Parking Possibilities:
- Increased opportunities for more effective travel plans that combine parking restraint with bus/tram incentives – for example, the card could allow three days of parking and two days of bus use;
- Safer and more attractive car parks – with less queuing and searching for spaces on the streets (as people will already know whether or not they have a space);
- Analysis and monitoring of user behaviour to understand space usage and to ensure accurate billing – including recording of car park use for potential forthcoming administration of a Workplace Parking Levy;
- Tighter car parking management and more efficient use of space;
- Research on the attitudes of car park users and non-users to achieve the most cost-effective use.
Future-Proofing: NTU’s Long-Term Plan
The NTU smartcard system has a particularly low failure rate and a remarkably long life; some cards have lasted for up to nine years.
Partnership is another crucial factor; NTU continues to build new partnerships with commercial and public organisations to further benefit its users.
Set-up costs for a smartcard are soon offset by the savings on administration and replacement cards.
Best of all, the current cards allow for further expansion with minimal cost.
“Smartcards bring the opportunity for integrated travel, cheaper fares, cash-less transactions (and associated personal safety benefits), faster bus boarding times, improved accuracy of operator reimbursement; and more secure validation of entitlement.” Nottinghamshire County Council.