Although the outbound leg of travel for Spring Festival is almost over, travelers leaving Beijing after the celebrations may have the chance to utilize a new security system being tested at Beijing's railway stations, state-run media reported.

Users must have a smart identity card (limiting the system to People's Republic of China citizens), a smart ticket card, and a face.

The system is designed to reduce the amount of time spent checking individuals entering railway stations and also to increase the level of accuracy of the checks, although most checks are perfunctory at best.

The Spring Festival crush seems a strange time to test out the new system, as instead of increasing efficiency, passengers will likely be unfamiliar with it and require instruction, slowing down the entire process.

Airports and banks, including China Merchants Bank, have begun or will commence similar trials in the near future, the report said.

By:Steven Schwankert(thebeijinger)