Whether running a safety checkpoint in a courthouse or ensuring only the right staff access medical research rooms, lobby security is critical to the daily operations of millions of organizations.
Most of the time, that's a simple matter of verifying a key card or ID and waving someone through. But it gets challenging fast when there isn't enough security staff to man a station — or when the equipment doesn't provide the accessibility everyone needs to get inside.
In some settings, like a TSA checkpoint, people using wheelchairs, electric mobility devices, or crutches can be ushered through a separate lane. A local business, medical facility, or university library rarely has that luxury. That's where ADA compliant turnstiles come in. Fastlane® turnstiles improve total accessibility in any setting — here are five ways how.
1. Wider, ADA-Compliant Security Lanes
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires entry and exit ways to be at least 32" wide to allow wheelchair access. The problem? That measurement doesn't cover the wide range of wheelchairs on the market today, with most ranging from 25" to 39" in width — and electric mobility devices run even wider.
Fitting Fastlane optical turnstiles into a lobby gives a facility ADA-compliant lane widths without installing a separate entrance to accommodate extra-wide passage. Some models, like the Fastlane Glassgate 155, go well beyond compliance with lane widths up to 47.25" — a significant improvement that lets people with disabilities move quickly through security and get on with their day, whether that's starting a shift, attending a meeting, or enjoying a facility's entertainment.
2. Increased Traffic Flow
Another consideration for a secure lobby is traffic flow. A bottleneck of people trying to get in or out of a checkpoint doesn't just frustrate — it heightens security risk.
If traffic flow challenges plague your facility, never settle for less than the one-person-per-second throughput Fastlane turnstiles deliver. That keeps traffic continuous instead of pausing at every credential check.
Quality and reliability are often overlooked in purchasing decisions, but they matter here too: if your turnstiles aren't functioning or are offline, fewer lanes are available and delays multiply. Fastlane turnstiles are built to last — they've even survived floods — giving clients a long lifetime of use, fewer frustrations, and a lower total cost of ownership.
3. Enhanced Access Control Where It Matters Most
In almost every industry, there's a need to protect private data, sensitive assets, and workers from harm. One of the most urgent examples is healthcare: according to OSHA, nearly 75% of all workplace assaults occur in healthcare settings.
Hospitals, laboratories, medical offices, pharmaceutical companies, and other science-based organizations are critical to public health — and they face strict compliance requirements while being exposed to more security risk than practically anyone else, with sensitive data, medical supplies, drugs, and on-site research within reach. Introducing Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective® entrance control at any entry ensures only properly credentialed staff can enter specific areas, lowering the risk of theft, violence, or a security breach.
4. Improved Emergency Management
Emergency management is critical across every industry. Safely securing a building during a major storm, fire alarm, or security threat should be built into any organization's safety planning.
One key benefit of Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective entrance control is the ability to monitor movement with pinpoint accuracy using IP-enabled controls — from any location. A security team member can manage the flow and settings of a checkpoint without being physically present: a massive advantage when an area needs sudden lockdown, or when turnstile lanes must switch to free-exit during an evacuation.
5. Tailgating Prevention Without the Accessibility Trade-Off
Talk to any security "Red Team" and they'll tell you the easiest way into a secure facility is tailgating, sometimes called piggybacking — one person badges through, and another slips in close behind without authorization.
That concern is virtually eliminated with Fastlane optical turnstiles or Door Detective at the entry. Both leverage an intelligent infrared matrix powered by neural network algorithms to sense who — and what — is moving through at any moment. This drastically reduces tailgating and cuts false alarms from larger items like strollers or luggage being pushed or pulled.
In addition, our wider-lane models feature exclusive, industry-first Sidegate Detection®, which identifies two people attempting to walk side-by-side through a single lane on one authorization — catching collusion attempts that other systems miss. Combined, these technologies deliver superior protection for any facility.
The last thing you want is a security gap created by someone posing as a "Good Samaritan" pushing a wheelchair through your checkpoint. True accessibility doesn't mean lowered security — quite the opposite. It means higher security, with detection smart enough to account for the variables.
Spotlight: Door Detective SG
IDL (Integrated Design Limited) scaled its patented Sidegate Detection® technology into the Door Detective SG, bringing side-by-side collusion detection to wide single and double doors. Door Detective secures access-controlled doors once they're opened — the moment your access control system is essentially blind. It keeps things honest, halting tailgaters and direction violators who turn back to re-badge an unauthorized visitor. For extra-wide entries in data centers, labs, and hospitals, it's the missing piece.
Get the Best Entry Security from Our Team
Smarter Security® is committed to helping secure your facility, regardless of industry. With more than 30 years of industry leadership, our security experts and customer support specialists are on hand to answer questions, provide recommendations, and — most importantly — listen to your challenges. We support you every step of the way, from purchase to preventative maintenance.
To learn more about how Fastlane turnstiles improve ADA compliance and traffic flow, reach out to our team or explore the full Fastlane turnstile lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADA Compliant Turnstiles
How wide does a turnstile lane need to be for ADA compliance?
The ADA requires accessible entry and exit ways to be at least 32 inches wide. However, since many wheelchairs range from 25 to 39 inches wide — and electric mobility devices can be wider — models like the Fastlane Glassgate 155 offer lane widths up to 47.25 inches for comfortable passage.
Are optical turnstiles ADA compliant?
Yes, optical turnstiles can be configured with ADA-compliant lane widths. Wide-lane models go beyond the minimum requirement, eliminating the need for a separate accessible entrance while maintaining full security through Sidegate Detection®.
Do wider turnstile lanes create security gaps?
No. Wide-lane Fastlane models use exclusive Sidegate Detection® to identify two people attempting to pass side-by-side through one lane on a single authorization, so increased accessibility doesn't reduce protection.
How do turnstiles handle emergency evacuations?
Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective entrance control include IP-enabled remote management, allowing security teams to lock down areas or switch lanes to free-exit mode instantly from any location during an emergency.
What is the Door Detective SG?
The Door Detective SG is a doorway-mounted entrance control device featuring Sidegate Detection® technology. It monitors access-controlled doors while they're open, detecting tailgating, side-by-side collusion, and directional violations through wide single and double-door entries.
References
- U.S. Department of Justice. ADA Standards for Accessible Design
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workplace Violence in Healthcare
- Smarter Security. Fastlane Glassgate 155 Product Page
- Smarter Security. Door Detective Entrance Control
- Smarter Security. Door Detective SG Product Page
- Smarter Security. Tailgating vs. Piggybacking
- Smarter Security. Securing Healthcare Facilities with Turnstiles
- Smarter Security. Optical Turnstiles & Speed Gates Product Catalog