Amsterdam public transport operator GVB has completed a trial of hands-free check-in technology at Amsterdam Centraal.
The system uses ultra-wideband radio waves to detect passengers as they approach transit barriers, opening the gates automatically without requiring anyone to pull out a transport card or mobile phone.
The test was conducted over several months in partnership with international rail technology manufacturer Hitachi Rail.
How ultra-wideband works
Ultra-wideband technology operates similarly to location tags and digital car keys, measuring distance with high precision as a user approaches a sensor.
GVB reported that the system achieved an accuracy margin of around 110 millimeters during testing, which proved precise enough to identify individual travelers reliably.
Previous attempts to build automatic transit gates using standard Bluetooth technology failed because the signal positioning was not precise enough to prevent errors.
Future rollouts remain unconfirmed
While transport officials considered the pilot a success, the technology will not be appearing across the city network immediately.
Further technical refinements are required, and transport authorities plan to align any future installation with routine gate replacements to manage infrastructure costs.
If implemented long-term, hands-free validation could reduce congestion at busy station entrances and make public transit easier to navigate for travelers with luggage or accessibility needs.
Source: Railway Gazette
