Pedestrian Turnstiles vs Security Gates: Which Is More Effective?

When it comes to hosting events of any scale, security and crowd control are important for obvious reasons. You don’t want just anybody having access to your premise, but you also don’t want to make it overly difficult, or intimidating, for people to come inside. 

We’ve all seen pedestrian turnstiles at train stations or sporting venues. They are generally hip-high and only open when you present a valid ticket. Can you imagine if there were full-height pedestrian turnstiles at a train station? The image and impact of that would be dramatic. It could also hold up traffic and cause overcrowding and angry customers.

At Gate Opening Systems, we’re proud to be a leading supplier of turnstile gates and security gates in Melbourne. We can help you choose the right style of gate for your event, office park or wherever you need pedestrian control. 

This article is going to discuss the differences between pedestrian turnstiles and security gates, when each type is the most effective, and which style suits you.

What are Pedestrian Turnstiles

Full height pedestrian turnstiles are highly effective for high security areas or unmanned access points. They only allow access for one person at a time and cannot be easily jumped over or bypassed.

The single entry nature of them prevents tailgating, where someone will squeeze in behind a person to make it through a security checkpoint without showing authorisation.

The negatives for these styles of gates can be their imposing appearance. They convey a  ‘very secure’ image. Plus, if you have a high traffic area you may need more than one style of gate to help speed things along. This could be an added cost.

Where would you see a Pedestrian Turnstile Being Used

Full-height turnstiles are often used in high security areas such as industrial sites or data centres. They are used in locations where you need to restrict traffic to a one-by-one situation. Sometimes their intimidating image is used specifically to deter people from entering who are not permitted.

Tripod turnstiles are used in higher traffic areas, such as train stations, some sporting venues and gym locations and even corporate offices. They slow down traffic but not as much as a full-height turnstile would. They help manage ticketed areas and can be used to count the number of entrants. Each click of one of the turnstile pins equals one entrant.

What is a Pedestrian Security Gate

Pedestrian security gates serve a similar purpose to turnstiles. They are used to control and restrict foot traffic into restricted areas and can be considered less intimidating than turnstiles, giving a different feel to the type of control and access.

Rather than being something that turns (turnstile), either around a central point or tumbling over as you push through, a security gate is more like a door, something that will open when the correct credentials are presented.

They are designed for a fast throughput, in high traffic areas. This can sometimes encourage tailgating, so security gates are often manned to prevent this.

They are also great for wheelchair access, much more friendlier than a turnstile system. Often if there are turnstiles installed there will be a security gate as well just for those who need special access.

There are different styles of gates. Barred gates that are full height, dual flap gates that open one direction to restrict access, or the open style gate, a break in a fence line which is manned by security personnel.

Where Would you use a Security Gate

Security gates are often seen in corporate offices. Glass doors that need a touch card to get in are technically considered a security gate. You’d also see them used in gyms and transport hubs where security is needed but also speedy throughput.

Other locations a gate can be used to secure a location with low traffic can include a side gate to a home. Some public gardens sometimes have gates to control traffic, and keep off-leash dogs from running out into the public spaces. Apartment complexes would also have a security gate to restrict access to those who live in those apartments.

They are great for establishing pedestrian-only entry points without needing to open larger, vehicle only gates.

Which One Would you Choose and Why

Both pedestrian turnstiles and pedestrian security gates are designed to restrict and control passages, and to keep premises secure from unauthorised visitors, but which one should you choose and why? What are the determining factors in this decision?

What level of security do you need

Full-height turnstiles offer the greatest level of security. They are nearly impossible to circumvent, so only one person at a time can enter. This allows good screening of people entering the location. However, this can slow down through traffic. If you’re worried about a crowd building on one side of the gate, then other options may need to be considered.

If you don’t need as high a level of security, then the tripod turnstile would be a good choice. You can still restrict entry speed, and they don’t look as intimidating as a full height turnstile. Waist-high security gates, too, can allow for speedier entry. If security is not a high priority, then consider a tripod turnstile or a speed security gate option.

What are your Aesthetics

Speed gates and tripod turnstiles can appear more modern and sleek, suiting corporate locations, while full height turnstiles have a more industrial look to them, and would suit factory or high security locations such as prisons and data centres.

How Much Will They Cost

Cost-wise, tripod turnstiles are more budget friendly, while speed gates have a higher initial cost to install. The higher the security worry that you have, generally means a higher cost to keep your locations secure. Installation of a full-height turnstile would cost more than installation of a gate, for example.

There are occasions when both full height turnstiles and pedestrian gates work well together. The full height gate suits able-bodied pedestrians, while the pedestrian gate is good security for those with wheel chairs, walking frames or other walking difficulties. For high security locations that may have automated entry, a combination of both types of gate ensures everyone has secured access.

When Would You Use Both?

Similarly for logistical reasons both types of gates may be used. The pedestrian gate can give access to trolleys and carts and other load bearing vehicles, while also allowing increased exit during emergencies.

You can combine the control and monitoring of both gate styles into the one system for more secure control over entry and exit, no matter which gate is being used.

Assess your needs. If you don’t need high security, but would like to maintain a checks and balance on who comes and goes, looking at a gate system would be better than turnstiles. If you are looking at protecting sensitive information, or need to seriously control access, then the better the security of a full-height turnstile would be your better option.

The team at Gate Opening Systems can help you make the right choice. Get in touch with us today and we can work with you on finding that right balance between security and welcoming. We are the go to team for security gates in melbourne, remote control gates and pedestrian turnstiles. View our website or give us a call to find out more.