A policy Analysis of the mbta’s New Automated Fare Collection System
Download 5.21 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Executive Summary
- Section 1 – History of the MBTA
AcknowledgementsWe would like to wholeheartedly thank the following people for their contributions to our project. It would not have been possible without you: Professor Hal Abelson Keith Winstein Danny Weitzner Senator Jarett Barrios Dalie Jimenez Dan Michaud Steven Berrang Josh Martiesian Leslie Caplan Thomas Komola, Pat Saccoia Mary Simonowicz Marvin Sledge Anita Chan
The MBTA aims to provide a safe, available, and inexpensive service to its customers while respecting its customers' basic rights to privacy. Currently, the MBTA is pursuing a plan of automated fare collection that will entail the use of RFID smartcards. Other metropolitan areas have implemented or are in the process of implementing this technology into their public transit systems. To date, however, no public authority has developed or integrated a privacy policy directed towards RFID. A privacy policy developed by the MBTA can serve as a model for these other systems. In this paper we will outline guiding principles for a privacy policy, including openness, choice, and security. These principles are critical to maintaining personal and institutional security while maintaining the trust of citizens; failing to address them could unnecessarily subject riders to breaches of their personal privacy. These include risks of being stalked, profiled, or victimized by targeted advertising or theft. We specify what characteristics any fare-collection infrastructure would need to meet these policy principles; these include provisions for the collection, access, and storage of data, in addition to informing users of these data practices and providing a choice to ride the T at the same cost without providing personal information. We also provide a possible technical implementation for fare data collection in accordance with the principles. Our recommendations will address any privacy issues MBTA customers may have while enabling the MBTA to fulfill its goals of increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved customer service. Our original work in several areas served to support our claims. By studying other RFID implementations and interviewing several transit officials we were able to gain perspective on the choices that are made by outside authorities. By reviewing and analyzing the recommendations of privacy organizations such as EPIC and CASPIAN, we were able to gain an understanding of the privacy principles necessary for preserving the public trust. And by meeting with local, state legislative, and MBTA officials, we could relate to the local issues faced by the MBTA and the Massachusetts resident. These broad perspectives gave us a balance of opinions necessary to make well thought-out, realistic recommendations to the MBTA. Section 1 – History of the MBTAMassachusetts and the city of Boston have a long and venerable tradition of excellence in providing public transportation. These many systems reflect a historic commitment to customer service and constant advocacy for progress in their best interest. Boston is considered the birthplace of mass transportation in America, and this pioneering and progressive spirit lives on today with the current Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).1  
Source: http://www.mbta.com/insidethet/taag_history.asp Long before America declared independence from the British, Bostonians were experimenting with early versions of mass transportation. The Legislature of Massachusetts offered a charter in 1630 for a ferry service from Boston to Charlestown, since Boston was a narrow peninsula. Thomas Williams accepted their offer in 1631 and introduced a water ferry across the Boston Harbor, including stops in Chelsea, Charlestown, and Boston. This service was family owned and operated for most of its history, establishing a continuing precedent for personal attention to the customer and a strong connection to the surrounding community.2 Directory: mac -> classes -> 6.805 -> student-papers mac -> Issues paper mac -> Adaptation of Fisheries and Fishing Communities to the Impacts of Climate Change in the caricom region Issues paper Robin Mahon mac -> Life and letters of lord macaulay mac -> A message from Mr. Dryden mac -> Education: 2006-2010: Townsend Harris High School mac -> Human Rights in the Global Village: The Challenges of Privacy and National Security mac -> Allis-Roller, llc machine List mac -> Project summary mac -> Macroeconomics Machine-graded Assessment Items Module: Macroeconomic Measures of Performance student-papers -> Democratic Structures in Cyberspace Download 5.21 Mb. Share with your friends:
|