Smart Eco-Commute: An IoT-enabled QR-based Digital Bus Pass Validation and Monitoring System
Abstract
The increasing demand for efficient, secure, and scalable public transportation systems necessitates the adoption of automated digital verification mechanisms. Traditional paper-based bus passes are prone to duplication, misuse, and time-consuming manual validation, leading to operational inefficiencies. To address these challenges, this paper presents Smart Eco-Commute, an IoT-enabled automated bus pass validation system that integrates QR code authentication, embedded hardware control, and cloud-based data management. The proposed system utilizes an ESP32-CAM module for real-time QR code detection and video streaming, along with a Python-based processing unit for decoding and validation. Firebase Cloud Storage is used to ensure secure, reliable, and real-time data access. An Arduino Nano is employed to control the physical access mechanism, including a servo motor for door operation, an LCD for status indication, and a buzzer for alerts. The system was evaluated under various conditions, including expired passes, tampered QR codes, repeated scans, and different lighting environments. Experimental results demonstrate high accuracy, fast response time, and reliable performance. The proposed solution significantly reduces manual effort, enhances security, and improves passenger flow, making it suitable for deployment in modern smart transportation systems.
References
D. Suryavanshi, P. Shipalkar, and A. Shivam, “Next-Gen Authentication Public Transport System Using Smart QR Codes,” International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 866–871, 2025.
R. Joshi, T. Gite, T. Taralkar, P. Bendale, S. Bansode, and D. Salunke, “Next-Gen Authentication and Tracking Public Transport using Smart QR Codes,” IEEE Xplore, Jul. 01, 2023.
Shuran and Y. Xiaoling, “A New Public Transport Payment Method Based on NFC and QR Code,” IEEE Xplore, Sep. 01, 2020.
R. Borges and F. Sebé, “A reusable public transport electronic ticket system with fast validation,” Public Transport, Feb. 2025.
W. Rafique, M. Khan, X. Zhao, N. Sarwar, and W. Dou, “A Blockchain-Based Framework for Information Security in Intelligent Transportation Systems,” Communications in Computer and Information Science, pp. 53–66, 2020.
P. K. Shinde, S. Asati, and A. Andhale, “Next-Gen Railway Ticketing: ARTS with Real-Time QR Code Validation,” International Scientific Journal of Engineering and Management (ISJEM), vol. 4, no. 5, Jun. 2025
Alharbi, M. Zakariah, R. Alshahrani, A. Albakri, W. Viriyasitavat, and A. A. Alghamdi, “Intelligent Transportation Using Wireless Sensor Networks Blockchain and License Plate Recognition,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 5, p. 2670, Feb. 2023,
K. Hargunani, P. Kengar, M. Lokhande, R. Gawade, and S. K. More, “Integrated Bus System Using QR Code,” IEEE Xplore, Aug. 01, 2018.
Upendra Reddy, D. L. S. Vara Prasad Reddy, N. Srinivasan, and J. Albert Mayan, “Bus Ticket System for Public Transport Using QR Code,” IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 590, p. 012036, Oct. 2019
T. Kuncara, A. Syah Putra, and N. Aisyah, “Effectiveness of the E-Ticket System Using QR Codes for Smart Transportation Systems,” International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 900–907, May 2021.
J. Tupare, A. Tupe, M. Saudagar, and S. Mali, “Smart Public Transport Ticketing System Using QR Code Online Payment Method,” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2024.
