Development of SHIPS 2 for Advanced Railway Reservation System · Development of SHIPS 2 for...
Transcript of Development of SHIPS 2 for Advanced Railway Reservation System · Development of SHIPS 2 for...
Development of SHIPS 2for Advanced Railway Reservation System
AbstractA fully automatic Internet ferry reservation system was developed by JR Kyushu for future
application to the railway reservation system in an IT-advanced age. By operating via the Internet,
the system requires less investment outlay and easier network formations, making for excellent cost-
performance. While various transportation companies endeavor to develop similar systems via
Internet services, several problems remain, ranging from preventing customer information from
leaking outside to server reliability improvement. In this paper, the author describes how the new
system guarantees security reliability, and is even applicable to the railway reservation system and
other network systems.
1. IntroductionA ferry route, connecting Fukuoka in Kyushu with Busan in South Korea in 2 hours and 55 minutes,
was launched in 1991. Serviced by high-speed jetfoils, named Beetle 2 and others, the line was
established by JR Kyushu and Korean National Railroad (KNR) to complement their respective
transportation businesses and to enhance friendly relations between the two countries. Currently,
three jetfoils transport more than 240,000 passengers annually on the line, which enjoys a good
reputation among passengers. International Japan-Korea rail passes, as well as Kyushu Rail Passes
were developed along with the ferry service, contributing to an increase of passengers on railways in
both countries. This ferry line thus functions as a strategic feeder for integrated transportation
services, including railways. With JR Kyushu continuing to grow as a total transportation business,
SHIPS 2, a fully automatic Internet ferry reservation system, was developed to ensure full security,
reliability and customer database management while keeping investment outlay to a minimum.
Photo 1 shows the Beetle 2, a jetfoil. An outline of the ferry service is illustrated in table 1. Figure 1
is a map of the route between Fukuoka and Busan.
Beetle 2 (B2)
Table-1 Outline of ferry service
Operating distance 213 km: Fukuoka, Japan to Busan, South Korea
Type of vessels in use Jetfoil _Beetle 2, Beetle 3, JB_
Traveling time 2 hrs. 55 min.
Vessel speed 45 knots
Summer (Apr. – Aug.): 36 services/weekOperational schedule*
Winter (Sep. – Mar.): 24 services/week
Number of annual passengers* Approx. 240,000
* Operational schedule and number of annual passengers as of fiscal 2000.
Ferry route between Fukuoka and Busan
2. Development Background of the Reservation SystemSHIPS 2 has been installed in the JR Kyushu Ferry Service Department to improve the speed and
quality of services in today’s IT-oriented society, and to correspond with increased administrative
work volume due to the increased number of passengers. This system contributes to streamlining
booking operations as well. JR Kyushu ferry reservations used to be made directly via telephone or
fax from customers and travel agencies (AGT). Then operators entered the customer information
into a private terminal linked to the Ferry Service Dept. Private communication lines were used to
link the mainframe with terminals at AGTs and the ferry service counter. A huge investment outlay
was required to establish such a communication infrastructure. This type of situation has led many
transportation companies to begin developing different booking systems, using the Internet as a
solution. However, several problems have emerged: 1) ensuring system security; 2) maintaining
server reliability when accessed by an unspecified number of customers; and 3) obtaining the
necessary response speed despite limited communication abilities.
3. System Outline of SHIPS 23-1 System configuration
The proposed reservation system is composed of two sub-systems: the Internet and the Intranet. The
former handles booking applications sent from individual customers and AGTs. The latter is for
reservations made by in-house operators, and for the check-in system at the service counter of the
ferry terminal. The Intranet system ensures a quick response capability in simultaneously handling
several-hundred telephone reservation applications, as well as check-in operations. This system
features high-speed communication between the server and the client computer using a 100-
megabyte backbone LAN and a switching hub for the LAN system. The configuration of the SHIPS
2 network system is shown in figure 2.
SHIPS 2 system configuration
3-2 Ensuring security
Establishing an original security system was required before launching SHIPS 2, as customer
passport records and credit card numbers have to be transmitted via the Internet. In the proposed
system, the firewall method prevents illegal access. Further, as a countermeasure against
unauthorized access, SHIPS 2 separately controls the client system and the Internet to prevent the
possibility of system damage.
The duplex cryptography method using a secure socket layer (SSL) is applied to SHIPS 2 for data
transmission between the Web server and Web browser, and between the Web server and credit card
service companies. Further, an original secret key cryptosystem is employed for the data stored in
the database. Deciphering the data is thus made impossible even if the case data is leaked.
3-3 Ensuring server reliability
Minimizing the system’s downtime is crucial to guaranteeing system stability for an unspecified
number of users. Conventionally, it was common for another server system to be installed for
backup. The system was activated if the network system in operation shut down. However, SHIPS 2
addressed this issue by adopting a unique network system composed of: two servers for reservations
(one for application (AP), and the other for database (DB)) and one backup server for both AP and
DB. The DB server in SHIPS 2 employs the mirroring cluster method, which simultaneously
duplicates all accumulated data into the backup server. Prompt switching from the DB server in
operation to the backup server is possible when the system is shut down; thus the SHIPS 2 system
reliability is secured. Further, by applying a load balancer, parts of the reservation functions are
constantly allocated to the backup server, resulting in effective operation of servers through load
leveling. Figure 3 illustrates the server system configuration, and the process for switching the
network system when a different server faults.
Configuration and switching of the server during system fault
3-4 Abolition of private terminal at AGT
SHIPS 2 is operable by general customers, as well as by AGTs. By making use of the Internet line,
SHIPS 2 solved the problem mentioned above requiring AGTs to use private lines and terminals
when transmitting the booking data. AGTs use a homepage address separate from that for individual
customers. The reason behind adopting the homepage address exclusive for AGTs was to handle
many complex operations and administrative work involved between AGTs and transportation
companies. These include managing pre-allocated seats supplied by transportation companies, and
calculating the number of remaining vacant seats. AGT operators input necessary data in the special
homepage by logging into the site for AGTs using pre-allocated AGT ID numbers. In this way,
SHIPS 2 enables AGTs to execute all booking operations, a task previously executed by AGTs
together with the Ferry Service Dept. Communication costs could also be reduced despite the
frequent number of bookings from AGTs for large group tours, which involve much time-consuming
data input. SHIPS 2 addressed this problem by placing many operations in the client system so that
AGTs need not continuously be connected to the Internet line when executing most work.
4. Effects Achieved from Introduction of SHIPS 2 Several benefits are obtained by introducing SHIPS 2. The proposed system has been developed
with minimum investment outlay, while enabling reservation operations almost as reliable and
secure as conventional reservation systems using private terminals and private phone lines.
SHIPS 2 greatly helps alleviate operational and administrative work burdens on AGTs and the in-
house operators. Moreover, communication costs are reduced as Internet lines become the major
communication tool for reservation tasks made between the Ferry Service Dept. and AGTs.
SHIPS 2 also helps further reduce communication costs by allowing AGTs to execute booking
operations. Reservations via SHIPS 2 now account for 40% of total reservations made by AGTs.
Figure 4 illustrates the new homepage used in the system.
Another advantage is that SHIPS 2 streamlines check-in operations within one process. This
includes verification with reservation lists, check-in proceedings, automatic compilation of
passenger lists, and issuing tickets. By helping eliminate complicated administrative work, SHIPS
2 brings about reduced human error. Figure 5 illustrates changes in the operational flow and
communications route since the introduction of SHIPS 2.
New home page for ferry reservation
Operation flow before and since SHIPS 2
SHIPS 2 also helps eliminate the need for ticket receipts and cash payment when individual
customers make reservation applications using the system by settling payment on the screen
using credit cards. Check-in speed for such customers has drastically improved as well.
Moreover, the system’s operation via the Internet enables more effective management of
customer data. SHIPS 2, therefore, has much potential for various and strategic activities such as
conducting direct business dealings which, in turn, improve the corporate image of JR Kyushu.
5. Future Application of the System5-1 Cooperation with South Korean counterpart organization
SHIPS 2 was developed in consideration of being linked with a South Korean counterpart
organization in the future. A similar ferry reservation system is now being developed by that
counterpart organization. Both companies plan to fully share general operation data, including
reservation details and passenger lists via the Internet, aiming at further expansion of integrated
transportation services.
5-2 Diversification of SHIPS 2 reservations
SHIPS 2 will continue to enhance its reservation functions to respond to the diversified needs of
individual travelers who use mobile terminals, including portable telephones, as media for acquiring
information. Use of such mobile terminals has grown rapidly. They now serve as information tools
equivalent to the role of personal computers, offering various services including information on seat
vacancies, reservation applications and ferry operation schedules. Additionally, a lodgings
reservation service via the Internet will also be incorporated within SHIPS 2 in the future so that
passengers will be able to create their own travel package plans.
5-3 Unification of the database
JR Kyushu is progressing with the establishment of a unified database that consists of customer data
accumulated from the railway and travel business, and the passenger data from SHIPS 2. Such
integrated data will enable this transportation company to strategically provide optimal, tailored
services for each customer, and to effectively manage customer data.
6. ConclusionSHIPS 2 is positioned as the interim phase in establishing a future railway reservation system. JR
Kyushu has already started the development of a railway reservation system via the Internet since
the techniques for system security, reliability and operational efficiency of the entire booking process
developed in SHIPS 2 proved applicable for railway reservations. Drastic reductions in investment
outlay and streamlining of booking operations and related administrative work are expected when
the railway booking system via the Internet is established, although this system will be larger and
more complex. JR Kyushu will endeavor to expand SHIPS 2 to the railway service industry, and
plans to integrate international ferry and domestic railway reservation operations using one unified
reservation system in the future.