RFID makes rail, air and road travel easier and safer

RFID can play an important role in helping you travel more safely, easily and efficiently. Toll lanes today are usually equipped with RFID. About 7 million bags are lost each year by airlines, so airports have begun to sort luggage by means of RFID. And you may already be able to buy your train or bus ticket with the help of RFID.

The benefits don’t stop here. RFID is making airports more efficient and user-friendly. Besides using RFID for luggage sorting, airports are experimenting with how they can speed up the boarding process and improve security within the terminal. In addition, airlines are designing systems to help them track the maintenance of parts. This all adds up to greater convenience and safer flights for passengers.

On trains and buses, RFID is also making inroads, particularly in the form of paperless payment systems. Passengers use their RFID-enabled devices, such as mobile phones or cards, to pay for the services they need.

Companies in the transport sector clearly believe RFID can improve their business operations and give them a competitive edge in terms of attracting passengers. That’s why they are expected to be spending $100 million on RFID by 2016, up from $20 million in 2006.

What does all this mean for you? In simple terms: RFID is making travel safer and more efficient. If we’re lucky, it will be more fun, too.