# Interconnect: foster usage of public transportation, tourists included

“Toolla helped us design, implement, manufacture and test all the individual software and hardware elements for the new ticket validation technology. Toolla participated in all stages of the transnational INTERCONNECT system development and fully proved its knowledge about wireless technologies, IoT, embedded software, user interface design, web and mobile technologies, and software architectures. It was a pleasure for InnoBaltica to work on this agile and complicated project together with Toolla.”  
— Sylwia Wymysłowska  
Project manager, InnoBaltica

## The Challenge

InnoBaltica Sp. z o. o., a leading developer of an integrated public transportation ticketing solution in Pomorskie Region in Poland, strives to encourage more visitors to explore the region by utilizing public transportation, and to foster regional public transportation in general. To this end, InnoBaltica has envisioned a ticket-purchasing solution allowing the passenger to be charged correct fare for any public transportation ride with a single tap on his or her mobile device, without a need to check in/out at a validating device on entering/exiting a bus or train, for a more convenient and safer travel. The technology was to be made available as a mobile app, which would additionally allow passengers (including visitors) to use packages for discounted, easy access to public transportation and regional attractions, and to plan their trips using public transport modes.

## The Solution

Toolla was tasked with architecting and developing the new technology enabling one-click ticket purchase, as well as designing and implementing all the supporting mobile and web applications.

We have researched using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and mobile devices to localize passengers inside public transportation vehicles and in the process designed and developed full-custom printed circuit boards (PCBs) and embedded software for smart BLE beacons, which also communicated with the Interconnect system through the cellular network. Complementing the beacons, we developed advanced trip detection algorithms within the mobile apps and the supporting cloud systems to correctly identify ongoing and completed trips, match them with schedules and eliminate any false detections. During the project, we designed beacon housings, manufactured a series of prototype beacons, and successfully performed test installations in buses owned by Gryf, a regional bus transport provider.

Additionally, we designed and developed passenger mobile and web apps which allow passengers to plan public transportation-based trips, guide them during ongoing trips, allow them to use electronic cards for discounted access to regional attractions, and to access public transport tickets. The system comes with web portals for managing the contents and distribution of discount cards and packages, for managing the smart IoT beacon network, mobile apps for servicing the beacons, and apps for inspecting electronic tickets and cards - all implemented by us.