Biometric access systems could fundamentally transform the ticketing process in rail transport

The digitalisation of transport infrastructure is advancing worldwide. Alongside smart passenger information, automated operational processes and digital tickets, biometric identity verification is also increasingly coming into focus. NEC provides a current example of this with its Face Recognition Walkthrough Gate, which has now been awarded the highest honour at the Red Dot Design Award 2026.

The system, which was tested on the Joetsu Shinkansen line as part of a pilot project in collaboration with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and rail technology specialist JR East Mechatronics (JREM), received the ‘Best of the Best’ award. This honour is awarded to only a small proportion of all submitted products and is considered the highest accolade in the international design competition.

Access without a ticket or smartphone

The concept of the Face Recognition Walkthrough Gate is based on biometric identity verification using facial recognition. Passengers need neither to present a ticket nor have a ticket ready on their smartphone or a smartcard. Instead, identification takes place automatically as they pass through the access gate.

This offers several advantages for operators. Firstly, passenger flow can be accelerated as physical tickets or cards are no longer required. Secondly, the effort involved in issuing, managing and checking traditional access media is reduced.

This aspect is becoming increasingly important, particularly at busy transport hubs. Railway stations face the challenge of managing rising passenger numbers efficiently and safely at the same time.

Design as a safety factor

It is noteworthy that the award does not merely recognise the underlying technology. The jury particularly highlighted the combination of user experience, security and integrability.

The access system features a particularly slim and compact design with no protruding components. This preserves sightlines and reduces potential hazard points in the immediate vicinity of the access system. At the same time, the open design improves passenger orientation and facilitates passage.

The design of access systems plays a particularly important role in security-critical areas such as railway stations or airports. In addition to functionality and reliability, user acceptance, accessibility and passenger flow management are becoming increasingly important.

Integration rather than infrastructure changes

Another advantage of the system lies in its ability to integrate. According to NEC, the facial recognition solution can be integrated into existing ticket gates without requiring extensive structural alterations.

For transport operators, this is a decisive factor. Modernising existing infrastructure often entails high investment costs and lengthy implementation times. Technologies that can be integrated into existing systems significantly lower these barriers.

Particularly in the face of limited budgets and growing demands on digital mobility services, there is a rising demand for solutions that combine innovation with cost-effectiveness.

Biometrics becomes part of the mobility strategy

The award also highlights a broader trend. Biometric identity verification is increasingly evolving from specialised security applications into everyday access technologies.

Whilst facial recognition has so far been used primarily in areas such as border control, airport security or access management, the range of applications is constantly expanding. Mobility providers are increasingly exploring how biometric methods can be used to simplify processes for passengers whilst meeting security requirements.

The combination of convenience and identity security makes biometric systems particularly attractive for high-traffic environments.

Data protection remains a key success factor

However, as biometric technologies become more widespread, the importance of data protection issues is also growing. Facial data is among the most sensitive personal information and is subject to strict regulatory requirements in many countries.

The long-term success of such systems will therefore depend crucially on how transparently operators handle data storage, data processing and user rights. Acceptance is not driven solely by technical performance, but above all by trust in the responsible handling of biometric information.

In Europe in particular, data protection, data sovereignty and transparency will remain key prerequisites for the introduction of biometric access systems in the future.

International recognition for a forward-looking concept

With the award for the Face Recognition Walkthrough Gate, NEC is not only receiving recognition for a single product, but also for an approach that could help shape the future of passenger transport.

The combination of biometric identification, existing infrastructure and user-centred design demonstrates what modern access systems could look like in the future. Whether facial recognition becomes established in rail transport in the long term will depend not only on the technology, but also on the regulatory framework and social acceptance.

One thing is certain, however: the digitalisation of access and identity processes is gaining momentum worldwide – and biometric solutions will play an increasingly important role in this.