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.