Travel on face value

TICKETLESS train travel in which facial recognition systems identify passengers as they board their carriage could be a reality within three years.

A facial recognition system is being developed that uses two invisible, near-infrared lights to help capture a 3D image of a face in astonishing detail. It will register the smallest details, down to tiny blemishes and wrinkles.

Such a system could dispense with the need for tickets as passengers, their faces already scanned in a registration process, could pay by online account.