I thought that aswell, part of this new system is to be able to save time but don't see how it will when the bloke has still got to open the gate when he's been given the green light. By the time the person has swiped there card it will be same as before when the steward has taken the ticket.
Be better if gate was just open and a steward just there to stop anyone walking through without a ticket or when the red/amber light goes.