NFC-Based Wireless Railway Ticketing System Using Web Technology

Abstract

The conventional paper-based ticketing system for unreserved travel in Indian Railways is plagued by inefficiencies including significant paper waste, susceptibility to fraud, and prolonged passenger queues. This paper proposes a novel, sustainable solution: a reusable ticketing system leveraging Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, accessible entirely through a web interface. The system utilizes durable NFC cards that can be electronically reset and reused for thousands of journeys, drastically reducing operational costs and environmental impact. A cloud-based backend with offline synchronization ensures reliability in low-connectivity areas, while AES-256 encryption and JWT authentication guarantee security. Accessible via a standard web browser on NFC-enabled devices, this system eliminates the need for dedicated mobile applications, offering a scalable, cost-effective, and secure alternative that enhances both operational efficiency and the passenger experience.