Colorado State University is now issuing student ID cards that include ATM and debit functionality, along with other convenient features. The new "RamCard Plus" is linked to a free checking account for debit transactions and ATM withdrawals. But that's just one of the card's many features. The RamCard Plus also includes a magnetic stripe and bar code for identification, a second magnetic stripe for use with a RamCash account through the university, and a smart chip for keyless entry to campus buildings.

Here's another example of a school rolling out new student ID cards with increased functionality. Pennsylvania's Bucknell University has introduced its new BU ID, a multipurpose student ID card that can be used for a variety of campus services, including bookstore purchases, library checkout, meal plan payments, the campus box office, athletic events, and for gaining entry to dormitories and other campus buildings.

Next fall, students attending Memphis City Schools will receive new student ID cards with smart card functionality. The cards must be worn around the neck on a lanyard, and will serve as a form of photo identification, while also helping to track student behavior.

All you have to do is look at the subject lines of our past blog posts to see that smart cards are used for all sorts of applications these days. Recently, IMS Research felt the need to closer examine the smart card's rise in popularity. And what did they find out? That amazingly the number of smart cards on the planet will surpass the world's population at some point during the year 2009. So, what does that mean? It means that on average, each person walking the globe will soon be in possession of more than one smart card.

HID Global has announced that its Fargo HDP5000-LC ID card printer/encoder is now formally certified as FIPS 201 compliant by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). This certification means that organizations and government agencies can use the HDP5000-LC printer to meet the government-wide standard for ID cards for all federal employees and contractors. This standard was mandated by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12.

The Chicago Transit Authority is working with 48 area high schools an ID card program that will provide students with school ID cards that double as CTA transit passes. The students will also receive the benefit of a reduced fare when they use their new cards for riding the bus or train.

Starting this fall, Kansas University students will be able to use their student ID cards as transit passes for riding the university's expanded bus service. Previously, a separate "KU on Wheels" pass was required, but with the new system, students will simply have to wave their student ID to hop aboard.

Target retail stores will soon be offering customers smart card versions of their Visa credit cards. This is a variation on the customer loyalty card that's becoming increasingly common for retailers. The smart cards will provide users with special discounts on purchases. Each card will contain an embedded smart chip that, when swiped through a card reader, will automatically download coupon information from the internet, providing customers with instant savings. Target will also be able to use the smart cards to track customer buying habits.

New College in Oxford is upping the level of security for campus buildings by integrating its student ID cards with an access control system. While the old students IDs featured magnetic stripes, the new cards will use Mifare contactless smart card technology. The access control system has been designed to control perimeter access to main building doors as well as individual student rooms. The system is also easily scalable in case future expansion is required.

Scotland's busiest rail route is eyeing a new ticketing system that would feature electronic smart cards. With the proposed system, regular commuters who ride the Edinburgh-Glasgow line would have their tickets replaced by smart card rail passes that can be automatically renewed rather than discarded after use. Cardholders would also be able to use their rail passes to buy one-off rides on other rail routes without having to purchase an additional ticket.

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) is set to pilot a new e-payment system that will soon be used across all forms of public transport. The new system will feature smart cards good for commuting, paying for car parks, ERP (Electronic Road Pricing), and even for shopping.