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Publications

Publications by Marta Campos Ferreira

2016

Application of collaborative information exchange in urban public transport: the Seamless Mobility solution

Authors
Costa, PM; Fontes, T; Nunes, AA; Ferreira, MC; Costa, V; Dias, TG; Borges, JL; Falcao e Cunha, JFE;

Publication
TRANSPORT RESEARCH ARENA TRA2016

Abstract
Contemporary urban transportation networks are facing challenges to address the growing needs of mobility, all the while improving their economic gains and environmental sustainability. Several studies demonstrate that competitive alternatives to individual private transport are able to address these challenges, such as public transportation services. Thus, the need for optimising their operational efficiency and offer user-centric service delivery arises, with a range of challenges related to the inherent complexity of urban transportation networks as well as the range of dynamic elements involved in such systems. An innovative approach to this problem leverages personal mobile devices in combination with collaborative exchange of information. In this study a system was developed to combine information provided by travellers with data from public transport operators. The result is a rich model of the transportation network that enables the distribution of information in a personalized way and in real-time: the Seamless Mobility solution. Large-scale and expensive infrastructures, such as existing ticketing systems, constitute a threat to such flexibility and traveller access to services. As a result, a distributed architecture was targeted with the goal of integrating personal mobile devices in the infrastructure, with benefits for travellers and transport operators. The proposed solution integrates a broad scope of challenges, including application of secure mobile payments methods, data aggregation from different components and distribution based on relevance techniques. With the implementation of this solution we expect to positively impact the way travellers and transport operators interact, and contribute towards mobility services that are more agile and adequate, taking into account that mobility patterns vary from person to person, seasonally, and even throughout a day. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

2015

How to Encourage the Use of Public Transport? A Multiservice Approach Based on Mobile Technologies

Authors
Ferreira, MC; Dias, TG;

Publication
EXPLORING SERVICES SCIENCE, IESS 2015

Abstract
It is crucial to promote the use of cleaner transport modes, and new technologies are key to achieve this goal. Most mobile-based solutions are focused on services related with the journey itself (mobile ticketing, real-time traffic information and trip planners). Adopting a holistic point of view, and considering every trip has a purpose (work, school, shopping and entertainment), a new service approach is considered. This paper presents a multiservice approach that links city services and public transport to encourage the use of sustainable transport modes. This multiservice approach is based on mobile technologies, which are a unique channel of interaction between service providers and customers. The conceptual model of this approach is materialized in a concrete example. This multiservice approach may represent a step towards a sustainable mobility, while improving the image and efficiency of Public Transport Operators (PTOs), boosting local businesses loyalty and sales and bringing convenience, better service quality and monetary savings to customers.

2017

Evaluation of an integrated mobile payment, route planner and social network solution for public transport

Authors
Ferreira, MC; Fontes, T; Costa, V; Dias, TG; Borges, JL; Falcao e Cunha, JFE;

Publication
3RD CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY (3RD CSUM 2016)

Abstract
The proliferation of new technologies is revolutionizing the public transport sector, allowing Operators to replace complex and expensive infrastructures by travellers' mobile devices and online management channels and platforms. This paper aims to present the Seamless Mobility platform, a disruptive solution based on these new channels, which main goal is to facilitate and promote public transport usage for travellers, as well as reducing operational costs for public transport companies. The Seamless Mobility platform integrates three main components: (i) mobile payments, (ii) route planner, and (iii) social network. The payment component is based on the pay-as-you-go concept with check-in and check-out requiring the reading of the corresponding QR Code station. The route planner combines information from published schedules with real-time information to identify the nearest stops, the next departures, or the best route for a scheduled trip. The social network component allows real time sharing among travellers of public transport information, related to several aspects of the service (e.g. noise, skilfulness of drivers). To test the concept, a mobile application, called OneRide, was developed. This application was tested by users in real environment, in the city of Porto, Portugal. The results show that users considered the system extremely useful, since it is more convenient than traditional systems. It was also clear that users valued the integration of additional and complementary services with mobile payments, such as information about their journey, maps and schedules. Regarding the social component some users found it difficult to understand the concept, but once they understood they considered it very useful. The use of the QR Codes to perform the payment has shown to be one of the main challenges to be addressed, since lighting conditions, position and distance to the QR Code influences the reading process. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

2014

Evaluation of an Integrated Mobile Payment, Ticketing and Couponing Solution Based on NFC

Authors
Ferreira, MC; e Cunha, JF; Jose, R; Rodrigues, H; Monteiro, MP; Ribeiro, C;

Publication
NEW PERSPECTIVES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 2

Abstract
The emergence of Near Field Communication technology added more functionality to mobile phones. People can now access to new mobile services such as payment, ticketing, couponing, and control access to cars, homes and hotels. Although these services seem to complement each other, most studies have focused on the development and evaluation of each mobile service individually. In this paper, we propose an integrated mobile service solution payment, ticketing and couponing - based on NFC. This solution was evaluated in a two-phase user study, which was run in real environment. Participants have largely appreciated the integration of tickets and discount coupons on the payment process. However, despite the integration of services being one of the strongest points of the solution, it also revealed to be one of the main challenges that any payment systems may have to address. Findings suggest that adding additional services to a solution may become very complex from a cognitive perspective.

2017

Mobile payments adoption in public transport

Authors
Fontes, T; Costa, V; Ferreira, MC; Li, SX; Zhao, PJ; Dias, TG;

Publication
3RD CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY (3RD CSUM 2016)

Abstract
Nowadays, mobile phones are ubiquitous systems of our society. Nevertheless, the adoption of this technology to perform mobile payments, namely in public transport, was only implemented in a few number of transport networks. Thus, this paper aims to understand which are the main factors that may influence the adoption of mobile payments in public transport. For this purpose, a survey was applied to different groups of population. The study was conducted on the public transport networks of a medium-sized metropolitan area (Oporto-Portugal) and of a big-sized metropolitan area (Beijing-China). The evaluation results of the current services of purchase and validation of public transport tickets almost never show significant statistical differences (p>0.05) for the traditional variables used by the literature. This is particularly true for age. Nevertheless, some mobility factors can sometimes play an important role in the assessment of ticketing systems. Moreover, although the high differences between the ticketing systems in both cities, Chinese and Portuguese have a similar opinion about the systems implemented in their cities. Still, Chinese reveal a higher motivation to adopt the new ticketing system. In general, such system is greatly accepted by the respondents and the potential market is expected to be high (30-68%). Although this technology cannot replace the traditional systems, it can contribute to increasing the overall efficiency of the transport networks. The improvement of the passengers' appraisal, the reduction of operational and the maintenance costs of transport operators are the network impacts most expected. Convenience and time saving are the main advantages mentioned while questions about privacy, interaction and reliability are stated as the main concerns to adopt it. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

2014

MobiPag: Integrated Mobile Payment, Ticketing and Couponing Solution Based on NFC

Authors
Rodrigues, H; Jose, R; Coelho, A; Melro, A; Ferreira, MC; Falcao e Cunha, JFE; Monteiro, MP; Ribeiro, C;

Publication
SENSORS

Abstract
Mobile payments still remain essentially an emerging technology, seeking to fill the gap between the envisioned potential and widespread usage. In this paper, we present an integrated mobile service solution based on the near field communication (NFC) protocol that was developed under a research project called MobiPag. The most distinctive characteristic of Mobipag is its open architectural model that allows multiple partners to become part of the payment value-chain and create solutions that complement payments in many unexpected ways. We describe the Mobipag architecture and how it has been used to support a mobile payment trial. We identify a set of design lessons resulting from usage experiences associated with real-world payment situations with NFC-enabled mobile phones. Based on results from this trial, we identify a number of challenges and guidelines that may help to shape future versions of NFC-based payment systems. In particular, we highlight key challenges for the initial phases of payment deployments, where it is essential to focus on scenarios that can be identified as more feasible for early adoption. We also have identified a fundamental trade-off between the flexibility supported by the Mobipag solution and the respective implications for the payment process, particularly on the users' mental model.

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