Everything you need to know about the RCTIF certification

What is the RCTIF ?

" Référentiel Commun de Télébillettique d’Ile-de-France "

This specifications describes the requirements defined by Paris-Area mobilities (ex-STIF) for the contactless communication protocol for the ticketing equipment deployed in Paris-Area as part of the RCTIF 5.0 project.

In the scope of RCTIF 5.0, the principle of PICCs detection changes due to the multiplication of supports accepted by PCDs. The PCDs will ensure that there is only one PICC in the field before carrying out a transaction. The purpose of this principle is to "force" the user to present a single object: the one with which he wants to carry out the transaction.

When we talk about PCD (Proximity Coupling Device) it is simply the contactless reader that is also called terminal or coupler. When we talk about PICC (Proximity Integrated Circuit Card) it is the contactless card (EX: Pass Navigo), which is called in the jargon of contactless "tag".

The RCTIF 5.0 has been developed considering that contactless tickets and low cost cards are compliant with CEN / TS 16794-1 . 

In addition, CEN / TS 16794-1 compliance provides interoperability with NFC devices compliant with the technical specifications NFC Forum Analog 2.0 and NFC Forum Digital 1.1. 

CEN TS 16794 is an European interoperability standard born from the work of the AFIMB (French agency for ticket intermodality) in which SpringCard has participated. The role of this standard is to ensure the compatibility of readers with all types of "contactless objects" that can be used as a transport ticket: transport cards of course, but also NFC telephone and EMV bank card. The CEN TS 16794 is therefore a standard "compatible" with the EMV contactless L1 implementation and aligned with the NFC specifications of mobiles (GSMA, ETSI, Nfc Forum).

What is it necessary for?

The readers generalization to RCTIF 5.0 version is necessary for the Ile-de-France region to consider the dematerialization of their transport tickets.

The following contactless objects are likely to be accepted by the PCD compared to the last version of the RCTIF:

o Contactless Navigo and payment cards
o Low cost cards
o Connected objects (wristband)
o ContactLess tickets
o NFC smartphones 

What is the difference between 4.0 and 5.0?

Historically, the first Navigo cards appeared before ISO standardization. The RCTIF 4 organized the cohabitation between the recent cards which are ISO 14443-B and the historical cards which use the old proprietary protocol Innovatron. All historical maps having now been withdrawn from circulation, RCTIF 5 is only interested in ISO maps. This is the main difference between the two versions.

Why do you need RCTIF 5.0?

In terms of mobility, this new standard is revolutionary. The RCTIF 5.0 facilitates access to a multimodal mode of transport which constitutes an essential link in the journey of users. Thanks to RCTIF 5.0 certification, expand the field of possibilities and optimize the compatibility of your readers.

Since 20 years, SpringCard obtained RCTIF certification for many of its products. Within the framework of RCTIF 5.0, we have adapted and equipped our readers to the new detection systems.