Face scanning technology could ensure Covid masks are worn on public transport

Technology to scan the faces of public transport users is being developed as part of a range of measures to ensure Covid safety compliance, post-pandemic.

Facial recognition technology could ensure passengers are complying with mask rules, along with providing entry to the transport system. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Artificial intelligence used to scan the faces of public transport passengers is among a suite of new technologies under development for a post-pandemic future.

University of Melbourne epidemiologist Mark Stevenson, professor of Urban Transport and Public Health, said staff in his research lab were working on AI that could detect and enforce mask compliance to bring “21st Century” solutions to the network and help it emerge “smarter”.

“Facial recognition technology could ensure you’re complying with mask wearing along with providing entry to the transport system once you’ve been scanned,” he said.

Prof Stevenson said QR codes could also be used to control access to the network to monitor capacity levels or whether priority access is given to essential workers.

He said government agencies should be taking advantage of reduced patronage levels caused by lockdowns to test policies for staggered work and school times to help avoid rush-hour stress on the network.

“The public transport system is vital to the economy, vital to how big cities operate, and we’ve got to get people back on public transport as fast as we can so we can enhance mobility otherwise our roads will continue to be congested,” Prof Stevenson said.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the safety measures that have been implemented gave returning passengers choice and confidence when travelling.

New face scanning technology could catch out people not wearing masks on Victorian public transport. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

“We introduced enhanced daily cleaning across the network, discounted fares for off-peak travellers to stagger travel times, 450 additional weekly train services and the passenger app ‘Ridespace’ to get real-time information on how busy your service is,” he said.

Department of Transport figures show at the end of July patronage levels across the network rose to 37 per cent of pre-Covid levels, after plummeting to 13 per cent during the previous lockdown.

But before the latest outbreak those numbers were as high as 60 per cent in May.

Buses were also at higher capacity than trains or trams, as workers remained at home rather than commuting to their workplaces.

Department of Transport figures show patronage plummeted to 13 per cent of pre-Covid levels during the last lockdown. Picture: Jason Edwards

Registered Myki cards and CCTV footage are used to help identify commuters who may have been exposed to coronavirus, with contract tracing boosted by QR codes which have been rolled out at 440 locations on the public transport network – including all train stations and free CBD tram stops.

The introduction of QR codes to trams, trains and buses is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Nick Foa, Head of Transport Services at the Department of Transport said: “We’ll continue to work closely with the public health team to make sure we are employing all appropriate measures to protect passengers as they return to public transport”.

Originally published as Face scanning technology could ensure Covid masks are worn on public transport