Smarter Security

How Do Mobile Credentials Work with Optical Turnstiles?

Shana McCoy — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:58:06 GMT

Mobile credentials are changing the way people move through buildings – and the lobby turnstile is where that shift becomes most visible. In this post, we break down how mobile access works with optical turnstiles, what to look for in a deployment, and why the combination of smart hardware and smart credentials matters more than ever. We've also brought in our technology partner, SwiftConnect, provider of the connected access network for places and spaces, to answer the questions we hear most from facility managers and security directors considering a mobile credential rollout.

The Lobby Has Become the New Login Screen

For decades, getting into a secure building meant carrying something – a badge, a key card, a fob. Today, nearly everyone already carries a device capable of granting access to a secure building: a smartphone.

With the prevalence of smartphones, mobile credentials have moved from novelty to mainstream across commercial real estate, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, universities, and government buildings. As organizations modernize their access control ecosystems, one question keeps coming up: How do mobile credentials actually work with optical turnstiles?

The answer involves a few layers of technology – and understanding them helps facility managers, security directors, and integrators make smarter deployment decisions.

What Are Mobile Credentials?

A mobile credential is a digital access token stored on a smartphone (or wearable) that communicates with the access control system (ACS) via a reader to authenticate a user's identity and grant or deny entry. Rather than encoding access permissions onto a physical card, those permissions live in a secure digital wallet – typically managed through a mobile app or platform and communication using Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi. This blog highlights the NFC solution and NFC-enabled wallets in Apple and Android devices.

Today, NFC has become the de facto standard for mobile access for the same reason it became the standard for mobile payments. People intuitively know how to use the tap gesture in daily life, at transit gates, coffee counters, and hotel check-in, which means extending it to the workplace is a natural next step. It simply requires the user to present their phone to a reader and it is supported by the Apple and Android devices people already use. Apple's Express Mode also extends NFC reliability since the access credential still functions when the phone is locked or nearly out of charge, exceeding legacy use cases.

When it comes to readers, often organizations specify multi-technology readers that handle legacy card formats as well as NFC, which keeps the transition to mobile manageable and does not require a hardware swap as the credential mix shifts.

Where Optical Turnstiles Fit In

An optical turnstile is the physical enforcement point. It's where split-second decisions from the ACS become physical reality – barrier open, or barrier closed.

Fastlane^® turnstiles from Smarter Security^® are designed to integrate with virtually any ACS via a Wiegand interface, and our pedestals are engineered to discreetly and cleanly accommodate third-party readers. That flexibility is what makes mobile credential deployments so seamless: the reader mounts directly onto or into the turnstile pedestal, and the credential handshake happens before the user ever reaches the barrier.

Here's the general flow:

The user approaches the turnstile with their smartphone (credential active in app or running in the background).
The reader detects the credential via NFC and sends the access request to the ACS.
The ACS validates the credential against the user's permissions and returns a grant or deny signal.
The turnstile barrier opens (or remains closed) based on that signal – in real time, with no perceptible delay.
The turnstile's optical detection system monitors the passage to prevent tailgating, independently of whatever credential was used.

That last point is important: the turnstile's intelligence operates separately from the credential type. The Fastlane optical sensor intelligent technology is doing its job – detecting tailgating, piggybacking, and other unauthorized entry attempts.

What Makes a Mobile Credential Deployment Successful?

Successful mobile access deployments across commercial real estate and enterprise tenant organizations share common considerations that come up consistently during implementation. Here's what to prioritize:

Choose a credential experience that requires nothing new from the user. The digital wallet tap is already a familiar part of daily life for most of the workforce, and deployments that have led with this approach consistently report faster adoption and fewer support requests from day one.
Leverage existing systems. Use readers, credential technologies, ACS and other systems already in place, including identity providers. An integration layer that connects these systems and technologies handles that complexity seamlessly, without replacing existing infrastructure or requiring custom development for each technology in the stack.
Launch with both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet from day one. Ensure every tenant and employee has access to the same experience, regardless of the device they carry. This reduces friction so users don’t have to think about whether their phone is supported before they can move through the building.
Require self-service, on-demand provisioning for users. Deployments with these built-in features make it possible for new employees to receive building access in their digital wallet before day-one with no badge pickup or IT involvement, while administrators retain the ability to instantly update or revoke permissions when roles change or employees leave. This frees up resources and accelerates onboarding across a building or organization.
Confirm reader placement and pedestal integration. The reader needs to be mounted where users naturally present their phone – typically on the approach side of the pedestal, at a comfortable height. Most Fastlane pedestal models feature internal conduit routing and mounting options that allow the readers to be concealed beneath the pedestal top, maintaining the lobby’s clean aesthetic.

The Tailgating Problem Doesn't Go Away – and Shouldn't

One misconception about mobile credentials is that they somehow solve tailgating. They don't – and they don't need to. That's the turnstile's job.

Mobile credentials authenticate who is presenting access. The optical turnstile monitors how many people are moving through the lane. These are separate functions that work together. A valid credential opens the barrier; the turnstile's optical detection ensures only one person passes per authorization event.

This division of responsibility is a feature of well-designed entrance control systems, not a gap – and it's exactly how Fastlane turnstiles are built. Our neutral network-powered detection achieves less than ¼" tailgate accuracy on most models, processes up to 60 people per minute, and performs the same way regardless of what credential opened the lane.

A Note on Wider Lanes and Mobile Access

As organizations increasingly deploy ADA-compliant and wider-lane configurations – like the Fastlane Glassgate 155 or Glassgate 400 Plus, with lane widths up to 47.24" – mobile credential readers need to be thoughtfully positioned to remain intuitive for users of all abilities.

Wider lanes can be more tempting to intruders – but our Sidegate Detection^® technology addresses that head-on. This industry-first capability, exclusive to Fastlane turnstiles, identifies two individuals attempting to pass side by side through a single lane, stopping unauthorized entry in its tracks. And like all our advanced detection capabilities, it works the same way regardless of what credential opened the lane.

Expert Perspective: SwiftConnect on Mobile Credentials in Practice

We asked the team at SwiftConnect, leading provider of the connected access network for places and spaces, to answer the questions facility managers ask most when evaluating a mobile credential deployment.

For someone who's never deployed mobile credentials before, how would you describe the end-user experience?

For most users, the experience at the lobby turnstile feels like nothing at all, which is exactly the point. Their credential lives in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, the same place they keep their boarding pass or a payment card. There is no separate app to launch and no Bluetooth to manage. As the user approaches the reader, they simply present their phone to the turnstile reader – the interaction is closer to tapping to pay than to anything that feels like a security system. That effortless experience at the first access point, the lobby, sets the tone for every door, floor, and shared space beyond it. SwiftConnect's connected access network is designed to enable that fluid Street-to-Seat^® experience consistently, from building entry to the tenant offices.

What ACS does SwiftConnect integrate with, and how does that integration work at a high level?

SwiftConnect's platform is vendor-neutral by design so it integrates with the ACS already in place, including LenelS2, Genetec, Software House, Honeywell, Brivo, AMAG, and others, without requiring organizations to replace working infrastructure. The platform sits above the existing ACS as the connected access network layer, handling identity management, credential delivery, and lifecycle automation. For a building where Fastlane turnstiles are already installed and integrated with a specific or multiple ACS, SwiftConnect connects the system(s) with the goal to add a modern credential experience to what's already there, versus replace it.

How does SwiftConnect handle credential issuance and revocation? For example, if an employee leaves, how quickly can their mobile credential be deactivated?

SwiftConnect enables fully automated badge provisioning with on-demand and self-service capabilities, connecting the organization's identity and HR systems to the access control infrastructure so that credentialing happens automatically rather than through manual administration. A new employee can receive access to their wallet before day one without a desk visit or badge pickup. When someone's role changes or they leave, administrators can instantly update or revoke permissions through the platform, and that change propagates to the ACS immediately. What SwiftConnect provides is the connective integration layer that makes all of this possible to deliver operational efficiency at scale.

Multi-tenant commercial buildings present unique challenges – multiple employers, varying ACS, shared lobbies and amenities. How does SwiftConnect handle that complexity?

Multi-tenant environments are one of the core use cases for the SwiftConnect connected access network. For example, in a typical multi-tenant building, the landlord controls base-building access, the lobby turnstile, elevators, and shared amenities. Each tenant controls their own floor and offices, often using a different ACS. The SwiftConnect platform brings together both the base-building and tenant access control infrastructures to create a single credential for a Streat-to-Seat^® journey. In this instance, a tenant can use their mobile badge in the parking garage, at the lobby turnstile, elevator, and their offices. The landlord and tenant each maintain their own administrative control, while the tenant can move through the building without friction.

What are the barriers to mobile access adoption?

The biggest barriers to mobile access adoption tend to be less technical and more organizational and mindset-driven. For example, many organizations talk about hesitancy around cloud-based systems because the on-premise approach had been the access control standard for decades. This is still the case, even when most of an organization's other critical systems already live in the cloud.

Part of closing this gap in mindset means connecting access control to the identity and business systems organizations already run on. Physical and digital security are converging, with building access increasingly sitting alongside IT systems and identity infrastructure. Facility managers positioning themselves well are those already looking beyond who gets through a door to consider how physical identity and access connect across their entire organization.

Where do you see mobile credential technology headed over the next two to three years? What are the barriers to mobile access adoption, and what should facility managers be thinking about now?

Mobile credential usage has increased nearly tenfold in the past two years, yet the transition is still aspirational for many organizations while they deal with manual processes that continually create onboarding delays and security risks. Facility managers evaluating mobile access are also finding themselves navigating a shift in who else is involved in the buying decisions. IT and CISOs are increasingly coming in with questions around identity provider integration, SOC 2 compliance, data residency, and API governance, and being able to speak to those requirements is becoming part of building the internal case.

The Bottom Line

Mobile credentials and optical turnstiles are a natural pairing – one handles the identity layer, the other handles the physical enforcement layer. When both are properly specified and deployed, the result is a lobby experience that's faster, more convenient, and more secure than traditional card-based access.

Fastlane turnstiles are built to support this kind of layered security ecosystem. Our open integration architecture means organizations aren't locked into a single credential technology – they can evolve their access strategy over time without replacing their turnstile hardware.

For organizations evaluating a mobile credential deployment alongside optical turnstile infrastructure, the right starting point is a conversation with your integrator and our team. Ready to talk through your lobby? Visit smartersecurity.com/contact.

About Smarter Security

Smarter Security is the exclusive authorized provider of Fastlane® optical turnstiles across the Americas. Fastlane turnstiles are installed in some of the world's most iconic buildings, protecting over 50% of Fortune 100 companies and thousands of commercial, campus, and government facilities. Learn more at smartersecurity.com.

About SwiftConnect

SwiftConnect unifies identity and physical access into one effortless experience, connecting systems and spaces into a unified, flexible network. It supports on-demand mobile and the physical credential lifecycle for secure, consistent access – replacing friction with fluidity at every turn, without the constraints of proprietary lock-in. Learn more at swiftconnect.com.

Fastlane^® and Door Detective^® are registered trademarks of Integrated Design, Ltd. Smarter Security^® is a registered trademark of Smarter Security, Inc. Streat-to-Seat^® is a registered trademark of SwiftConnect, Inc.

10 Pedestrian Access Control Failures in High-Security

Shana McCoy — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

High-security facilities spend serious money on enterprise access control solutions — software, cameras, credentials, personnel. And people still walk through who shouldn’t.

The problem usually isn’t the technology budget. It’s the entry point.

Pedestrian access control systems are where your security posture is either enforced or exposed. Here are the 10 most common ways they fail — and what to do about each.

1. You’re Using a Door

A card reader on a door isn’t an access control system. It’s a locked door with a card reader. One credential can let in two people, and your software won’t know the difference — it only logs the badge, not the body count.

The Fix: Replace door-only entry points with dedicated entrance control. Optical turnstiles and speed gates physically enforce one-in, one-out in lobbies and elevator lobbies. For interior doorways — server rooms, restricted back-of-house access, data center floors — Door Detective® door-mounted monitoring devices enforce the same standards a turnstile does without lane infrastructure. The right tool depends on where the entry point is.

2. Tailgating and Piggybacking Are Going Undetected

Tailgating — someone following a badged employee through without credentialing — is the most common physical security breach in commercial facilities. Piggybacking, where an employee knowingly lets someone through with them, is the insider-risk version of the same problem. Both are happening at facilities that believe they’re secured. Most can’t prove either.

The Fix: Specify tailgating and piggybacking detection that goes beyond passive lane geometry. The right system tracks body mass and movement through infrared or optical sensor arrays — not just broken beams — and uses neural network intelligence to distinguish a person from a bag or a shadow. When evaluating systems, ask specifically about detection precision. Neural network processing at ¼-inch accuracy — the standard Fastlane® optical turnstiles are engineered to — is what separates “probably secure” from actually secure. Pair that with real-time alerts and audit trail integration so security teams have events to act on, not patterns to guess at.

3. Your Lobby Backs Up at 8 AM

Here’s the tradeoff that never gets enough attention at the proposal stage: slow lanes create bypass behavior. When a lobby backs up at peak hours, employees hold doors for each other. They prop lanes. They find the path of least resistance — and that path usually isn’t the one your security team designed.

The Fix: Specify throughput alongside security rating. Ask for people-per-minute per lane under real operating conditions, false rejection rate, and recovery time after a tailgate event. Fastlane® optical turnstiles are rated at up to 60 people per minute per lane. That’s fast enough that entry doesn’t become an incentive to cheat the system. Turnstiles and speed gates that can’t keep pace with your peak headcount aren’t a security feature — they’re a workaround waiting to happen.

Example: The University of Notre Dame was dealing with a classic throughput problem at a high-volume dining hall. During peak lunch hours, manual card-swiping by staff created lines that stretched outside the building — in Indiana winter. Their first instinct was to hire more staff. Instead, they deployed Fastlane® Glassgate 150 turnstiles, which allowed students to tap their own cards and doubled the entrance capacity. The result: entry speed increased ten-fold and the outdoor line was eliminated entirely. The throughput was so efficient that dining services had to adjust food production schedules to keep up. Read the full case study.

4. You Specced the Wrong Product for the Space

Every zone in a high-security facility carries a different threat profile — and the entrance control technology needs to match. When products get specced based on familiarity instead of application, the gaps are physical and they stay open.

The Fix: Map each zone to the right technology before you buy anything. Here’s how that looks across a typical high-security facility:

Lobby and elevator lobbies — Optical turnstiles and speed gates enforce one-in, one-out at high-volume entry points while maintaining the throughput and aesthetics a front-of-house environment demands.
Reception and visitor areas — Visitor management systems integrated with your access control platform handle temporary credentialing, time-limited access, and automatic revocation without permanent lane infrastructure.
Interior doorways — Server rooms, data center floors, and restricted back-of-house access points — need a doorframe-mounted monitoring system like Door Detective® to enforce anti-tailgate compliance at the door level.
Executive floors and high-value asset areas — Mantrap and interlock systems provide absolute single-occupancy control where one door cannot open until the other is fully secured.
Perimeter and parking — Vehicle entry points require barrier arms, bollards, or access gates rated for vehicular threat levels, paired with cameras and license plate recognition for full coverage.
Building-wide — Biometric readers — fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition — add a second factor at any entry point where a lost or stolen credential alone shouldn’t grant access. Cameras at every zone support real-time monitoring and post-incident review regardless of what physical enforcement is in place.

The right spec isn’t one product across the building. It’s the right product for the right space.

5. Your Hardware and Software Aren’t Talking

Every device at every entry point — turnstiles, readers, cameras, biometric scanners, visitor management systems, barrier gates — needs to communicate with a central access control platform. When any piece of that hardware operates as a standalone appliance, you have a gap. Credential revocations don’t propagate in real time. Events don’t get logged. An employee whose access is terminated at 9 AM can still badge through a door that hasn’t synced.

The Fix: Require documented integration compatibility across every device before you spec anything. For security building entry management at enterprise scale, it means supporting standard protocols — Wiegand, RS-485, OSDP, or TCP/IP — across the full hardware stack. Every device should feed real-time event data to the same platform, enforce the same credential rules, and trigger the same alarm outputs. If any layer of the physical security stack is operating independently of the software platform, the hardware budget didn’t close the gap — it just moved it.

6. You Let Aesthetics Drive the Spec

A beautifully designed lobby is a legitimate business priority. But when the look of the entry point drives the product decision instead of the security requirement, you end up with hardware that photographs well and performs poorly. Low-profile speed gates that blend into a minimalist interior may not carry the detection capability a high-security environment demands. Open-lane configurations chosen for their sleek appearance may not provide the physical barrier a threat assessment calls for.

The Fix: Start with the security requirement, then find a product that meets it and fits the space. The good news is that modern entrance control doesn’t force a choice between form and function — optical turnstiles, speed gates, and access gates are available in architecturally refined finishes, custom glass configurations, and compact footprints that work with high-end interior design without compromising performance. Biometric readers and access control hardware have followed the same trajectory — purpose-built enclosures designed for commercial environments that don’t look like they belong in a prison. Define what the space needs to do security-wise first. Then design around it.

7. The Accessible Entry Becomes a Security Gap

Every facility needs an accessible entry point. The problem is how most of them handle it. Rather than incorporating an accessible solution into the primary entry array, many facilities designate a separate door — a side entrance, a service entry, a back door with a reader on it — as the accessible route. That separate entry almost always becomes the weakest point in the building. It’s staffed inconsistently, propped open for convenience, and treated as a secondary concern by everyone except the people who know it’s the easiest way in.

The Fix: Accessible entry should be integrated into the primary entry point — not routed around it. That means incorporating a wider lane or an access gate directly into the main array so every person entering the building moves through the same controlled, monitored, and enforced entry point regardless of mobility needs. A separate accessible entrance is a separate security perimeter — one that rarely gets the same attention as the front door.

The Fastlane® Glassgate 150 Plus offers a 1,000mm (39.4-inch) lane width that accommodates wheelchairs and mobility aids with the same optical detection and credential enforcement as every other lane in the array. In Canada, the City of Toronto 2021 Accessibility Design Guidelines provide specific dimensional requirements for accessible entry points. Accessible doesn’t mean unsecured — and it shouldn’t mean unmonitored.

8. You Bought on Price

The lowest-bid security system rarely wins on lifecycle cost. Whether it’s turnstiles, biometric readers, access control software, cameras, or barrier gates — low-cost products tend to look attractive at the proposal stage and painful a few years later when components fail, parts are unavailable, software support is discontinued, or the platform can’t accommodate a new credential format without a full replacement.

The Fix: Evaluate lifecycle cost across every product in the stack, not just acquisition cost. Key questions to ask before signing any purchase order:

What is the rated lifespan of the hardware under real operating conditions?
Are replacement parts stocked domestically and what is the lead time?
What does the software support roadmap look like — and what happens when it ends?
Is the system open or proprietary — can it integrate with other platforms as your needs evolve?
What does downtime cost per hour at each entry point in your facility?
Can the hardware accommodate future upgrades without a full rip-and-replace?

Fastlane® systems are rated to 10 million cycles. The Fastlane® GG150 LX is a bolt-for-bolt retrofit of the original GG150 — no new floor anchors, no new conduit runs — saving up to approximately $37,000 on a four-lane installation versus a full replacement. That kind of forward compatibility isn’t unique to turnstiles — it’s the standard every product in your security stack should be held to.

9. The Officers Don’t Know What the Alerts Mean

Optical turnstiles generate events. Security officers need to respond to them. When there’s no documented protocol for what a tailgate alert or anti-passback event actually requires, the technology produces noise — and teams stop acting on it. A sophisticated system with an undertrained response is a false sense of security.

The Fix: Pair every entrance control deployment with documented escalation procedures. Define what each alert type requires at the lane level and what triggers escalation. Make clear how to distinguish a system fault from a security event. Pedestrian authentication and authorization at the entry point is where technology and human judgment intersect — both sides need to be ready. ASIS International’s Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification provides a recognized framework for building that competency into your security personnel.

10. The System Won’t Support What’s Coming

The credential landscape is moving faster than most facility refresh cycles. Organizations that locked into proprietary reader formats five years ago are now running costly retrofits to support mobile credentials, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication at the lane. If your entrance control hardware is the bottleneck to adopting new pedestrian authentication and authorization technology, it’s already outdated.

The Fix: Specify reader-agnostic hardware with open-standard interfaces and field-updatable firmware. Ask what credential formats are supported now — and what’s on the roadmap. For a look at how mobile credentials are changing enterprise entry, see our post on mobile credentials and optical turnstiles.

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

Every failure on this list has a price tag — and most of them don’t show up until it’s too late. A tailgating event that goes undetected doesn’t generate an incident report. A throughput bottleneck that trains employees to prop doors doesn’t trigger an audit. A system specced on purchase price doesn’t send an invoice when it goes offline at 7:50 AM on a Monday.

The facilities that get this right treat entrance control as a system: the right hardware for the application, built for the throughput your peak headcount demands, integrated with your access control platform, and ready for the credential technology you’ll be deploying in three years. The ones that get it wrong find out the hard way — usually after an incident, an audit, or a replacement budget they didn’t plan for.

If any of these failures sound familiar, that’s where we start. Contact Smarter Security to discuss your entry points with a specialist who knows the product and its application.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by the Director of Marketing, Shana McCoy

Shana McCoy is the Director of Marketing at Smarter Security, a leading North American distributor of Fastlane optical turnstiles and Door Detective entrance control solutions. With over a decade of experience in the physical security industry, Shana brings deep expertise in entrance control technology, serving clients across corporate, healthcare, education, and government sectors — including more than half of the Fortune 100. Her work spans product marketing, campaign strategy, and content development, with a focus on helping organizations make informed decisions about access control investments.

How to Prevent Piggybacking in Security

Shana McCoy — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Piggybackingis one of the most persistent—and preventable—security vulnerabilities in any facility. It doesn’t require technical skills, hacking tools, or inside knowledge. All it takes is one authorized person holding a door open for someone who shouldn’t be there. And it happens hundreds of times a day in office buildings, hospitals, universities, and data centers across the country.

If your organization is serious about physical security, preventing piggybacking isn’t optional. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Piggybacking in Security?

Piggybacking (also called tailgating) occurs when an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual through a secured entry point without presenting their own credentials. The difference between the two terms is subtle but worth noting:

Tailgating typically refers to someone slipping through undetected, without the authorized person’s awareness.
Piggybacking usually implies the authorized person knowingly allows someone to follow—often out of politeness or social pressure.

Both represent the same fundamental risk: a breach of your controlled access perimeter.

Why Piggybacking Is a Bigger Threat Than You Think

Most organizations invest heavily in cybersecurity, access control software, and surveillance systems—while leaving their physical entry points dangerously exposed. Piggybacking is the low-tech workaround that bypasses all of it.

The consequences can include:

Theft of assets or intellectual property — An unauthorized visitor who gains access to your floor can walk out with equipment, documents, or data.
Workplace violence — Unvetted individuals in restricted areas pose a direct safety risk to employees.
Compliance violations — In regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and government, unauthorized access can trigger serious legal and regulatory consequences.
Data breaches — Physical access to server rooms, workstations, or unattended screens can be just as damaging as a cyberattack.

According to security industry research, piggybacking accounts for a significant percentage of unauthorized physical access incidents—yet it remains widely underestimated as a threat vector.

How to Prevent Piggybacking: A Layered Approach

Preventing piggybacking effectively requires more than a policy. It requires the right combination of technology, design, and culture.

Deploy Optical Turnstiles at Key Entry Points
Optical turnstiles are one of the most effective and widely adopted tools for piggybacking prevention. Unlike traditional access control readers alone—which simply unlock a door—optical turnstiles enforce one-person-one-credential at the point of entry.

Fastlane^®optical turnstilesuse advanced infrared detection and neural network technology to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized passage attempts in real time. When a tailgating attempt is detected, the barriers respond instantly, and an alert is triggered. The result is a physical deterrent that works continuously, without relying on human judgment.

Modern optical turnstiles offer significant advantages over older full-height turnstile models:

Higher throughput — Authorized users move through quickly, reducing congestion.
ADA compliance — Wide-lane options accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and assistive devices.
Aesthetic integration — Sleek glass barrier designs fit modern architecture without creating a fortress feel.
Scalability — Systems can be configured for low-traffic executive floors or high-volume main lobbies.

Use Anti-Tailgating Sensors at Doorways

For controlled access doors where turnstiles aren’t practical, anti-tailgating sensors provide a smart alternative.Door Detective^® uses advanced sensing technology to detect and alert when more than one person passes through a doorway on a single credential presentation—without restricting the flow of authorized users.

This is particularly effective for:

Server rooms and data centers
Restricted back-office areas
Side or secondary entry doors
Any doorway where a turnstile footprint isn’t feasible

Design Your Space to Discourage Piggybacking
Physical security design matters. A lobby or entry corridor that forces a single-file approach to access control is inherently more secure than a wide-open space where groups can bunch up together. Work with your security integrator and architect to:

Create defined entry lanes that funnel traffic through controlled points
Position reception desks with sightlines to all entry points
Use signage and floor markings to set behavioral expectations
Eliminate “social shortcut” routes that bypass security checkpoints

Train Employees and Set Clear Policies
Technology alone can’t solve a cultural problem. Employees need to understand that holding the door for an unverified person—no matter how uncomfortable it feels to say no—is a security violation, not a courtesy.

Effective training programs should:

Explain what piggybacking is and why it matters
Give employees language to use when confronted with a tailgating situation (“I’m sorry, everyone needs to badge in separately”)
Establish a clear reporting process for suspected incidents
Include piggybacking awareness in onboarding and annual security refreshers

Monitor, Alert, and Audit
Your access control system should do more than unlock doors. Integrate your turnstile and door detection systems with your security information platform to:

Generate real-time alerts when tailgating is detected
Log and review attempted breaches by location, time, and frequency
Use video verification to review flagged events
Identify patterns that indicate systemic vulnerabilities

Regular audits of entry point activity can reveal which locations are most vulnerable and where additional intervention is needed.

Optical Turnstiles vs. Full-Height Turnstiles: Which Prevents Piggybacking Better?

This is a common question—and the answer depends on your security environment and visitor experience priorities.

Full-height turnstilescreate a near-impenetrable physical barrier. They’re ideal for high-security perimeters, outdoor installations, and environments where aesthetics are secondary to absolute access control. However, they’re slower, bulkier, and can feel unwelcoming in corporate or hospitality-oriented environments.

Optical turnstilesare the preferred choice for most commercial and institutional lobbies. They combine strong piggybacking deterrence with high throughput, modern aesthetics, and flexibility. With the right detection technology—like the neural network-enhanced infrared sensing in Fastlane systems—they detect and respond to tailgating attempts with high accuracy and minimal false alarms.

For most organizations, the right answer is optical turnstiles at primary lobbies, supplemented by door detection sensors at secondary access points.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Many organizations delay piggybacking prevention because the risk feels abstract until something goes wrong. But the cost of a single incident—theft, a workplace violence event, a compliance audit failure—almost always exceeds the cost of the access control infrastructure that would have prevented it.

The question isn’t whether piggybacking prevention is worth the investment. The question is how long you’re willing to leave the door open.

Smarter Security: Entrance Control Built to Stop Piggybacking

Smarter Security distributes Fastlane optical turnstiles and Door Detective anti-tailgating solutions across the Americas.

Our team works with security integrators and end users to design entrance control systems that match your security requirements, architectural context, and budget.

Whether you’re retrofitting an existing lobby or designing a new facility from the ground up, we can help you close the gap that piggybacking exploits.

Ready to assess your entry points?Contact Smarter Security to speak with an entrance control specialist.

Ready to explore your options?Contact the Smarter Security teamto discuss which solution is the right fit for your facility — or browse our full lineup ofFastlane optical turnstilesto see what’s possible.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by the Director of Marketing,Shana McCoy

Shana McCoyis the Director of Marketing at Smarter Security, a leading North American distributor of Fastlane optical turnstiles and Door Detective entrance control solutions. With over a decade of experience in the physical security industry, Shana brings deep expertise in entrance control technology, serving clients across corporate, healthcare, education, and government sectors — including more than half of the Fortune 100. Her work spans product marketing, campaign strategy, and content development, with a focus on helping organizations make informed decisions about access control investments.

Optical vs. Full-Height Turnstiles: Which is right for you?

Shana McCoy — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

When it comes to securing your building’s entry points, choosing the right turnstile is one of the most important decisions a facility manager or security director can make. The wrong choice can create friction for your employees, frustrate visitors, and leave security gaps you didn’t anticipate. The right choice becomes nearly invisible — it just works, day after day, keeping unauthorized people out while letting authorized ones flow through effortlessly.

Two of the most common options you’ll encounter are optical turnstiles and full-height turnstiles. Both serve the same fundamental purpose, but they’re built for very different environments, user experiences, and security profiles. Here’s what you need to know to make the right call for your facility.

What Are Optical Turnstiles?

Optical turnstiles — sometimes called speed gates or optical lanes — use infrared sensors and retractable glass or acrylic barriers to monitor and control pedestrian access. Rather than solely relying on a physical barrier that requires force to breach, they use detection technology to identify tailgating and unauthorized entry attempts, triggering alarms when a violation is detected.

Because they’re sleek, low-profile, and designed for high-traffic environments, optical turnstiles are the preferred choice for lobbies where aesthetics matter as much as security. Think main lobbies, reception areas, executive floors, and visitor-facing entry points — spaces where you want to project a professional, welcoming image while still maintaining rigorous access control.

Smarter Security’s Fastlane Glassgate 150 or Glassgate 150 Plus is a strong example of what modern optical turnstiles can do. With its slim, architecturally refined design and advanced detection capabilities, it blends seamlessly into high-end lobby environments without sacrificing performance.

What Are Full-Height Turnstiles?

Full-height turnstiles are floor-to-ceiling mechanical rotating barriers that physically prevent passage until access is granted. They’re the traditional go-to for outdoor perimeter entries, loading dock access points, and unsheltered building entrances — locations where an imposing physical barrier has historically been the standard expectation.

That said, the gap between full-height turnstiles and modern optical solutions has narrowed significantly. Today’s optical turnstile technology has advanced to the point where many facilities that once defaulted to full-height models are finding that optical solutions can meet — and often exceed — their security requirements while delivering a far superior user experience.

Key Differences at a Glance

Security Level

This is where the conversation around turnstiles has changed the most in recent years. Optical turnstiles are no longer just detection-and-deter solutions. Modern configurations now include options like interlocking mantraps, which create a controlled vestibule that physically prevents passage until credentials are verified — effectively eliminating tailgating at the hardware level. Tall glass optical turnstiles with locking brakes add another layer of physical deterrence, stopping unauthorized entry in the vast majority of attempted breaches. Smarter Security’s barriers are engineered to withstand 300N of force applied for up to 12 hours without failure — a level of physical resilience that closes the gap with traditional full-height solutions for most indoor environments. For most lobbies, interior access points, and climate-controlled entry areas, today’s optical turnstiles deliver security performance that is more than sufficient — and in many cases comparable to full-height alternatives — without the imposing aesthetic or throughput limitations.

Full-height turnstiles still hold an edge in outdoor perimeter applications where absolute physical prevention is the only acceptable standard. But for many facilities, that level of restriction is more than the environment requires.

Aesthetics and User Experience

Optical turnstiles are purpose-built for environments where first impressions matter. Their sleek, low-profile designs communicate professionalism and create a welcoming atmosphere for employees and visitors alike. Full-height turnstiles have evolved over the years — modern glass-enclosed models offer a more refined look than traditional metal-arm designs — but optical turnstiles remain the preferred choice when a seamless, open lobby experience is the goal. For main lobbies, reception areas, and high-visibility entry points, integration with the overall architectural aesthetic is often just as important a consideration as security performance.

Throughput

Optical turnstiles handle volume significantly better. A well-configured optical lane can process hundreds of people per hour without creating bottlenecks during peak entry times. Full-height turnstiles are slower by design — the rotation cycle takes more time, which creates congestion at busy facilities. For any organization with substantial daily foot traffic, this difference has real operational consequences.

Weather and Environment

Full-height turnstiles have the advantage in outdoor perimeter applications, where exposure to the elements demands ruggedized construction. Most optical turnstiles are designed primarily for indoor, climate-controlled environments such as lobbies and elevator vestibules.

ADA Compliance

Optical turnstile configurations are naturally more accommodating for individuals with disabilities, mobility devices, or large equipment, and accessible lane options integrate cleanly into the overall design. Smarter Security’s Fastlane Glassgate 150 Plus offers a comfortable 39.4” (1000 mm) lane width — ideal for elegant entrance control across a wide range of industries while fully meeting ADA standards. For facilities that need even wider lanes of up to 47.24” (1200 mm) combined with heightened security, the Glassgate 400 Plus delivers both — featuring four barrier height options and Sidegate Detection® technology to prevent side-by-side unauthorized entry even in wider lanes. Both models fulfill ADA standards in the US and Canada and maintain throughput of up to 60 people per minute. Download the Wider Lane Portfolio brochure to explore all three wider lane models in detail.

Full-height turnstiles, by contrast, present a more complex picture for ADA compliance. Their floor-to-ceiling rotating barriers are inherently inaccessible to individuals using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or other assistive devices. As a result, facilities that deploy full-height turnstiles are typically required to provide an alternative form of entry — such as a staffed gate, a swing door, or a separate accessible lane — to remain compliant with ADA regulations. This adds cost, requires additional space planning, and can create an inconsistent experience for users who must be redirected to a different entry point. It’s an important operational consideration when evaluating where full-height turnstiles fit within your overall access control strategy.

Cost and Long-Term Value

Optical turnstiles require a meaningful upfront investment, but the total cost of ownership calculation tells a more complete story. When you factor in lobby design impact, user experience, throughput efficiency, and integration flexibility, optical turnstiles deliver exceptional long-term value for most facilities.

So Which One Is Right for Your Facility?

For interior access points and controlled entry areas, optical turnstiles are the right answer — especially when configured with modern security enhancements like tall glass panels or locking brakes. They deliver the security performance your environment requires while protecting the user experience and aesthetic integrity of your space.

Choose optical turnstiles if:

Your entry point is an indoor lobby, reception area, elevator bank transition, or other climate-controlled space
Aesthetics, user experience, and throughput are important considerations
You want advanced security configurations like mantraps, interlocks, or tall glass panels with locking brakes
You’re integrating with a sophisticated access control or visitor management system
You want a future-proof investment that grows with your security needs

Choose full-height turnstiles if:

Your entry point is an outdoor perimeter, unsheltered building entrance, or exposed access point where physical prevention is the absolute, non-negotiable standard
Aesthetics are entirely secondary to access control
Your threat model specifically requires a solution that optical technology — even in its most advanced configurations — cannot address

When Full-Height and Optical Turnstiles Work Together

For many large or complex facilities, the answer isn’t choosing between full-height and optical turnstiles — it’s using both strategically as part of a layered security approach. Each solution has a natural role to play depending on where you are in the building.

Full-height turnstiles are well-suited for outdoor perimeter entries and building access points where the first line of defense needs to be robust and weather-resistant. Once inside, optical turnstiles take over — securing the transition from the lobby to elevator banks and internal floors, controlling who moves deeper into the building and who doesn’t.

This layered approach is where optical turnstiles truly shine, in part because of the rich third-party technology integrations they support. Optical turnstile lanes can be equipped with elevator dispatch displays that direct credentialed employees straight to their designated floor — eliminating crowded elevator lobbies, reducing wait times, and creating a seamless experience from entry to desk. It’s security that works with your building’s operations rather than against them.

A landmark example of this in action is the World Trade Center, where Smarter Security’s Fastlane optical turnstiles were integrated with elevator destination control systems, allowing tenants to badge in and be directed to their floor instantly. The result was a dramatic improvement in both security and the daily experience for thousands of tenants moving through the building. Read the World Trade Center case study to see how it all came together.

The Bottom Line

There’s no universal right answer — only the right answer for your facility. The best turnstile solution is the one that matches your security requirements, your user population, your environment, and your brand. Taking the time to evaluate those factors upfront will save you from costly mistakes and give you an access control solution that serves your organization for years to come.

Ready to explore your options? Contact the Smarter Security team to discuss which solution is the right fit for your facility — or browse our full lineup of Fastlane optical turnstiles to see what’s possible.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by the Director of Marketing, Shana McCoy

Why Your Turnstile Install Needs an Access Gate

Shana McCoy — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Adding a dedicated access gate transforms a basic lobby into a strategic security control point that’s safer, more inclusive, and easier to manage. When that gate is designed to work seamlessly with Smarter Security’s Fastlane turnstiles, you get higher security, better user experience, and cleaner data for your access control system.

The Security Gap Most Lobbies Overlook

Modern lobbies face mounting pressure: more visitors, more risk, and the constant need to keep people moving without sacrificing security. Yet many organizations create a critical vulnerability by pairing high-security turnstiles with nothing more than an open doorway or basic swing door for accessible access—no credential check, no detection, no control.

The numbers tell the story: tailgating and piggybacking account for 61% of physical access control failures reported by security professionals. Even more concerning, 71% of enterprise security leaders believe their company is likely to experience a data breach because of it.

If your standard lanes are protected by optical turnstiles while your accessible route lacks any credential-controlled gate, attackers will find and exploit that weakness. An integrated access gate closes this gap for occasional accessible access while maintaining credential control.

Two Solutions for Different Security Needs

Smarter Security offers two access gate options that complement Fastlane turnstiles, each designed for different operational requirements:

Important note on detection technology: Access gates use vertical-beam detection, which provides physical deterrence and basic access control but has limitations. For high-traffic, accessible lanes requiring advanced detection, we recommend wider lane Fastlane turnstile models with Sidegate Detection® technology that can detect not only tailgating and piggybacking intruders but also monitor side-by-side collusion attempts through the lane passage. Access gates excel at providing quick access for deliveries, larger items, and emergency equipment where occasional passage is needed.

Fastlane Intelligate 300: Two-pedestal Access Gate with Tailgate Detection

The Intelligate 300 uses infrared beam technology to detect unauthorized access through an extra-wide lane. With two pedestals creating the lane, this motorized, bi-directional gate operates with your access control system via optional credential readers.

Key capabilities:

Infrared beam detection monitors access and triggers alarms for violations
Operates via credential authorization using wall-mounted or stanchion-mounted readers
Glass barriers close quickly behind authorized users to deter followers
Bi-directional operation with intelligent lane management
Lane widths up to 55.1 inches accommodate wheelchairs, carts, and large packages
Throughput of 1 person per second maintains lobby flow
ADA compliant with audio/visual feedback

Ideal for: Occasional passage of oversized equipment, delivery carts, or emergency equipment where maximum lane width (up to 55.1 inches) is required. The two-pedestal design provides the widest opening for infrequent but necessary access while maintaining credential control and basic detection.

Fastlane Passgate 300: Single-pedestal Access Gate with Minimal Footprint

The Passgate 300 provides a physical deterrent with a space-efficient single-pedestal design. This motorized gate opens after credential authorization at a reader positioned along the wall or in front of the unit. For added operational flexibility, it can also be opened remotely via pushbutton control from a reception desk.

Key capabilities:

Opens via credential authorization at wall-mounted or pedestal readers
Optional remote control via pushbutton from reception desk
Configurable open time (1-20 seconds) or remote close capability
Door-like motion for quick user acceptance
Standard 39.4-inch lane width with custom options available
Forced entry triggers local and system alarms
ADA compliant with minimal footprint

Ideal for: Lobbies where floor space is limited and occasional accessible access is needed. The single-pedestal design minimizes the physical footprint while accommodating deliveries, wheelchair users, and visitors with luggage. Optional remote-control capability provides flexibility for reception-managed access when needed.

The Unified Entrance Advantage

Both access gates integrate with Fastlane Connect, the TCP/IP communication platform that enables browser-based monitoring and configuration from any authorized device. While turnstiles handle high-volume traffic, access gates provide credential-controlled access for occasional oversized items, deliveries, and emergency equipment—creating a cohesive entrance strategy rather than leaving an uncontrolled opening.

Operational benefits:

Consistent credential checking and event logging across all lanes
Matching aesthetics maintain professional, welcoming appearance
Centralized monitoring reduces security staffing requirements
Real-time alarm outputs help reception teams respond to access violations
Standardized maintenance across the entire entrance system

Real Impact on Workplace Safety

The stakes for entrance security continue to rise. Federal data shows 740 deaths from workplace violence in a single recent year, with homicides accounting for over 60% of those cases. Meanwhile, human-mediated vulnerabilities like social engineering drive over 75% of physical breaches in some regions.

A well-designed entrance with turnstiles and an integrated access gate gives organizations a controlled, monitored checkpoint to detect threats early and limit unauthorized access into sensitive areas—all while maintaining the accessible, professional environment that Class A buildings demand.

Choosing the Right Solution

The decision between Intelligate 300 and Passgate 300 typically comes down to physical space and lane width requirements:

Choose Intelligate 300 when:

Maximum lane width is required (up to 55.1 inches)
Occasional passage of oversized equipment, large carts, or emergency equipment
Credential control and basic detection needed for infrequent accessible access
Floor space can accommodate two-pedestal configuration

Choose Passgate 300 when:

Floor space is limited and minimal footprint is essential
Narrower lane widths work for your needs (23.6″, 27.5″, or 39.3″ options)
Single-pedestal design better suits lobby aesthetics or layout
Optional remote control from reception desk provides operational flexibility

From Good Enough to Strategic Advantage

The difference between a basic turnstile installation and a strategic security entrance comes down to this: Are you protecting every path into your secure space with the same level of intelligence, or leaving gaps that undermine your entire investment?

Adding an integrated access gate—whether the maximum width of Intelligate 300 or the minimal footprint of Passgate 300—turns accessibility from a compliance checkbox into a genuine competitive advantage. Your lobby becomes more secure, more welcoming, and easier to manage while providing the data and control that modern security operations demand.

Ready to Close the Gaps in Your Entrance Security?

Contact Smarter Security to discuss which access gate solution fits your facility’s requirements, or explore our complete Fastlane product family to see how turnstiles and access gates work together.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Executive VP of Smarter Security, Clayton Brown

Clayton Brown serves as Executive Vice President at Smarter Security, the leading provider of hand-crafted optical turnstiles, and is a co-founder of ReconaSense, the only FICAM-certified risk-adaptive physical access control solution (RAdPACS) using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. As a member of SIA’s Government Relations Committee and Data Privacy Board, Clayton proudly represents a next generation of practitioners dedicated to bringing data-driven ideas to existing physical security challenges.

Best Turnstiles for Office Buildings - Smarter Security Inc

Shana McCoy — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Choosing the right turnstiles for your office building isn’t just about security—it’s about protecting your people, your property, and your peace of mind. Today’s corporate lobbies have come a long way from the simple reception desks of the past. Modern security checkpoints have become refined systems that serve two important functions: keeping unauthorized individuals out while ensuring employees and visitors feel welcome. Choosing the appropriate turnstile solution for your organization requires balancing security measures with creating an inviting atmosphere.

This guide covers everything from different turnstile types to selecting the ideal model for your requirements.

Why Office Buildings Need Security Turnstiles

Modern office buildings face increasing security challenges. According to Verified Market Research, the global turnstile market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.66 billion by 2032, growing at 8.5% annually, driven by increasing demand for automated access control and enhanced security in corporate environments. Smarter Security alone protects over 50% of Fortune 100 companies, demonstrating how leading organizations prioritize advanced entrance control systems.

Security turnstiles prevent unauthorized access by creating physical barriers that stop tailgating and piggybacking. However, not all turnstiles offer equal protection—older “beam-break” technology can miss tailgaters by as little as 4 to 5 inches behind an authorized person.

Key benefits:

Prevent tailgating with advanced detection
Reduce security staffing costs through automation
Process high traffic efficiently
Track occupancy and monitor traffic patterns
Enhance lobby aesthetics with modern design

Understanding Different Types of Office Turnstiles

Here’s the thing: not all turnstiles are built the same. Before selecting the best option for your office building, it’s essential to understand what’s available. Think of it like buying a car—you wouldn’t just walk onto a lot and point at the first vehicle you see, right? Each type of turnstile brings something different to the table in terms of security strength, capacity during rush hour, and aesthetic appeal for your lobby. Let’s break down your options.

Optical Turnstiles (Speed Gates)

Optical turnstiles represent the premium standard for corporate lobby security. They use advanced infrared sensor technology to create an invisible detection matrix. However, the technology varies dramatically between manufacturers.

Speed Gates: Three Barrier Options

Speed gates are the most popular choice for office buildings where security and convenience are equally important. All three types offer ADA-compliant configurations, though detection accuracy and intelligence vary significantly by manufacturer.

Swinging Glass Barriers (Most Popular)

Available in many shapes, sizes, and glass heights
Premium models use tempered/laminated glass with extended shafts for safety
Avoid brands using plastic/polycarbonate that scuffs easily

Sliding Glass Barriers

Barriers recede into wider pedestals
Require more lobby space to accommodate internal barrier storage

Drop-Arm Barriers

Barriers closed until authorization is granted
Advanced models raise barriers in front of tailgaters
Includes breakaway functionality for injury prevention
Require adequate safety beams to prevent pedestrian contact

Best for: High-profile lobbies requiring medium to high security
Security level: Medium to high (varies significantly by manufacturer intelligence)
Throughput: 30-60 people per minute, depending on model (Fastlane: 60 people/minute)

Tripod Turnstiles

Traditional tripod turnstiles provide a cost-effective solution for access control with their rotating three-arm design. They come in both manual and motorized versions, making them suitable for industrial settings. However, they may not be ideal for professional offices due to their stadium-like appearance and noise. Additionally, they can be restrictive for larger individuals or those carrying bags and typically do not meet ADA compliance standards.

Best for: Budget applications, secondary entrances, industrial facilities
Security level: Low to medium (requires guard supervision)
Throughput: Less than 40 people per minute
Limitations: Not ADA compliant, unprofessional aesthetic for corporate lobbies

Full-Height Mechanical Turnstiles

Full-height turnstiles are security gates over 7 feet tall that create an impenetrable floor-to-ceiling barrier, preventing climbing over, crawling under, or jumping through. Built from rugged steel, they’re weather-resistant for outdoor use and serve as a strong visual deterrent for perimeter security and unguarded high-security areas. They are less appealing for interior applications and require separate ADA-compliant passgates.

Best for: Perimeter access, parking garages, outdoor applications, unguarded zones
Security level: Very high
Note: Requires a separate ADA solution

Revolving Door Security Turnstiles

Combining the aesthetics of revolving doors with full-height security, these systems revolve once per valid authorization. Floor-to-ceiling transparent barriers ensure single-person passage with automatic locking. They must be guarded to ensure one person per compartment and require separate ADA-compliant entryways.

Best for: Hotels, airports, and large retail stores
Security level: Very high

Entrance Gates and Passgates

While turnstile lanes can be configured with ADA-compliant widths, many installations add separate entrance gates for maximum accessibility and convenience. These gates are beneficial for wheelchair users, delivery personnel, or anyone carrying something too bulky to navigate through a standard lane width. The gates swing open in either direction and come in motorized or manual versions—typically controlled by your security team. The higher-end models feature built-in infrared beam technology, ensuring that only one person passes through per authorization. Standard gates lack this feature, making them more susceptible to tailgating. If you opt for a basic model, be prepared for your security staff to monitor it more closely.

Best for: Corporate lobbies, multi-tenant buildings, healthcare facilities, delivery-heavy offices
Security level: Low to medium (depends on infrared beam technology)

Dual Barrier (Mantraps)

A maximum security solution that ensures doors close behind each person and verifies single occupancy before opening the next door. These solutions may include weight sensors or weapon detection for enhanced screening.

Best for: Data centers, critical infrastructure, defense contractors
Security level: Maximum

What to Look for When Selecting Office Turnstiles

Choosing the best turnstiles for your office building requires careful evaluation of multiple factors. Here’s what security professionals should prioritize:

1. Security Requirements and Threat Assessment

Assess what you’re protecting—intellectual property, equipment, personnel—and match the solution to your threat level.

2. Traffic Volume and Throughput Capacity

Calculate your peak traffic requirements by analyzing total building occupancy, number of employees per shift, visitor frequency, and peak arrival/departure times (typically 8-9 AM and 5-6 PM).

Critical consideration: Throughput capabilities vary dramatically between manufacturers. Basic optical turnstiles may process only 30-40 people per minute. In comparison, Fastlane turnstiles achieve 60 people per minute (one person per second) through neural network intelligence that virtually eliminates false alarms and delays.

For office buildings using high-performance systems like Fastlane, plan for one lane per 50-100 employees during peak hours. Lower-performance turnstiles may require additional lanes to handle the same traffic volume. Always include at least one ADA-compliant lane for every 3-4 standard-width lanes.

3. Integration Capabilities

The best turnstiles for office buildings seamlessly integrate with your existing infrastructure. Essential integrations include access control systems (badge readers, mobile credentials, biometric scanners), building management systems controlling elevators and HVAC, and visitor management platforms.

4. Aesthetic Considerations

Your lobby entrance creates the first impression for clients, visitors, and employees, making aesthetic integration critical for modern office buildings. Today’s optical turnstiles offer extensive customization options to complement rather than compromise your architectural design.

Finishes: Brushed stainless steel, powder-coated colors, custom metal and wood finishes
Barriers: Clear glass, frosted glass, back-painted glass
Pedestals: Compact elliptical, square ends, custom shapes
Branding: Etched logos, custom artwork

5. Reliability and Total Cost of Ownership

Don’t just consider the initial purchase price. Evaluate warranty coverage, expected lifespan, maintenance requirements, including parts availability, technical support availability, and energy efficiency, since low-voltage systems reduce operating costs.

Hidden cost factor: Inferior turnstile technology generates excessive false alarms that require security staff intervention, reducing the labor savings that justify the investment. Additionally, lower throughput rates (under 40 people per minute) may require purchasing additional lanes, significantly increasing both capital and operating costs.

6. Compliance and Safety Features

Ensure your turnstiles comply with all regulatory requirements. It’s essential to adhere to ADA regulations, specifically the requirement for a minimum wheelchair-accessible width of 32 inches, though a width of 36 to 48 inches is preferred. Additionally, turnstiles must comply with fire safety codes that mandate a free egress mode during emergencies and local building codes. Furthermore, the turnstiles should meet UL 2593 standards for optical turnstiles, ensuring their safety and quality.

Fastlane Turnstile Insights for Office Buildings

Smarter Security’s Fastlane optical turnstiles represent the industry gold standard for corporate entrance control, securing more than 50% of Fortune 100 companies and iconic buildings worldwide.

What sets Fastlane apart: While many manufacturers offer optical turnstiles, Fastlane systems deliver unmatched performance through three critical advantages that competitors cannot match:

1/4 inch tailgate detection – Industry-leading accuracy that catches intrusions other systems miss
60 people per minute throughput – One person per second processing speed without false alarms
Neural network intelligence – Distinguishes between humans and carried objects to virtually eliminate nuisance alarms

These capabilities translate directly to better security, lower staffing costs, and superior user experience compared to basic optical turnstiles.

For Class A Office Buildings: Fastlane Glassgate 150 Plus

Our newly launched Glassgate 150 Plus combines elegant design with advanced intelligent neural network technology. This mid-height optical turnstile delivers exceptional security while maintaining a sleek, welcoming appearance to meet the demands of Class A lobbies.

Perfect for corporate headquarters main lobbies, multi-tenant commercial high-rises, professional service firms, and technology campuses, the Glassgate 150 Plus features concealed optical sensors for streamlined contemporary design and extra-wide lane options up to 39.4 inches for enhanced ADA accessibility. With Fastlane’s signature 1/4-inch tailgate detection, throughput of 60 people per minute, and neural network technology that virtually eliminates false alarms, it strikes the perfect balance between security effectiveness, aesthetic appeal, and cost efficiency.

For Higher Security Requirements: Fastlane Glassgate 300

When security needs are heightened, the Glassgate 300 delivers maximum security through a strikingly minimalist design. Perfect for data centers, pharmaceutical companies, government contractors, financial institutions, and other facilities that require more stringent measures, the Glassgate 300 features an ultra-slim 9.4” pedestal with glass sides that create an exceptionally open, airy feel in your lobby. Despite its lightweight aesthetic, the Glassgate 300 offers powerful deterrence with high-security barrier options reaching 59.1”, 66.9”, and 70.9” heights—nearly 6 feet of transparent protection that effectively eliminates climb-over risks.

For Wide Lane and ADA Applications: Fastlane Glassgate 155

Healthcare facilities, research laboratories, and buildings with extensive ADA requirements benefit from the Glassgate 155’s extra-wide lane configuration, accommodating widths up to 47.25 inches. With dual-entry collusion technology (side-by-side detection) and sensors on the tops of the turnstile pedestals that can detect climb-over attempts, it accommodates wheelchairs, medical equipment, rolling luggage, and delivery carts without compromising security.

For Maximum Security: Fastlane Interlock

For facilities requiring mantrap-level security, the Fastlane Interlock dual barrier system creates an airlock environment that eliminates collusion and guarantees single-person passage. Perfect for secure data centers, defense contractors, and critical infrastructure facilities, it features dual independent barrier sets that interlock—only one opens at a time. When zero unauthorized access is the requirement, the Fastlane Interlock delivers absolute certainty.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Office Turnstiles

Don’t assume all optical turnstiles are equivalent. Insist on 1/4 inch tailgate detection, 60+ people per minute throughput, and intelligence that distinguishes humans from objects.

Don’t prioritize price over TCO. Cheap turnstiles generate false alarms requiring staff intervention. Calculate the 10-year total cost of ownership.

Avoid insufficient capacity. Low-throughput turnstiles (under 40 people per minute) may require twice as many lanes as high-performance systems.

Don’t ignore integration. Verify compatibility with your access control system before purchase.

Never overlook ADA compliance. Plan for the installation of appropriate wide lanes or gates.

Ready to Secure Your Office Building?

The most critical factor is choosing technology that works—not all turnstiles deliver equal performance.

Next Steps:

Schedule a Security Assessment – Complimentary facility evaluation
Visit Our New HQ Showroom – coming soon
Request a Custom Quote – Tailored solution for your needs
Download Technical Resources – BIM files, CAD drawings, specifications

Contact Smarter Security:

Phone: 1.800.943.0043
24/7 Technical Support Available
Corporate Headquarters: 9390 Research Blvd, Suite II-110, Austin, Texas 78759

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Executive VP of Smarter Security, Clayton Brown

Exceeding Toronto’s Accessibility Guidelines with Modern Security Turnstiles

Shana McCoy — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

TheCity of Toronto’s 2021 Accessibility Design Guidelineshave transformed how organizations approach entrance security. These comprehensive standards ensure barrier-free access for all people, particularly those with disabilities, while maintaining the security requirements that modern facilities demand. For businesses and institutions across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), understanding and implementing these guidelines isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating inclusive environments that welcome everyone.

What Are Toronto’s 2021 Accessibility Design Guidelines?

Toronto’s accessibility guidelines represent a significant step forward in universal design standards. Since their publication, these requirements have been widely adopted not only by public organizations but also by private companies throughout the GTA and surrounding municipalities. The guidelines address various aspects of building design, with a specific focus on entry control systems that can significantly impact the accessibility experience.

What Are the Accessibility Requirements for Turnstiles in Toronto?

The guidelines establish clear criteria for entrance control systems, focusing on four critical areas:

950mm minimum clear width – ensures wheelchairs, mobility devices, and users requiring personal assistance can pass through comfortably
Break-away design for emergency egress – allows safe exit during emergencies without being trapped by security barriers
Vision panels with color/brightness contrast – provides visual cues to help visually impaired users navigate entrance points safely
Controls operable with closed fist – accommodates users with limited dexterity without requiring tight grasping, pinching, or wrist twisting

Why Do Legacy Turnstile Systems Fail Accessibility Standards?

The harsh reality is that most existing turnstile installations create exclusionary barriers rather than secure access points. Traditional narrow-lane turnstiles, designed decades ago with 24-30 inch (610-762mm) openings, physically prevent wheelchair users from entering—falling short of the 950mm requirement by as much as 300mm. These outdated systems exacerbate the problem by requiring users to navigate card readers, punch keypads, or maneuver through awkward turnstile mechanisms that are inaccessible to anyone with limited hand mobility or dexterity challenges.

The situation becomes even more problematic when facilities attempt retrofits. Organizations discover that simply widening existing lanes compromises the very security these systems were meant to provide, creating dangerous gaps in protection. This leaves facility managers facing an impossible choice: maintain security effectiveness while excluding portions of their community or achieve compliance while potentially compromising safety. It’s a lose-lose scenario that highlights why purpose-built accessible security solutions aren’t just preferable—they’re essential.

How Wide Should Accessibility Turnstile Lanes Be?

Contemporary turnstile systems provide lane widths ranging from 1000mm to 1200mm (39.4″ to 47.24″), significantly exceeding the 950mm requirement. Smarter Security’swider lane portfolioaccommodates:

Standard wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Oversized wheelchairs and medical equipment
• Users with personal assistance or service animals
Delivery personnel with equipment
Emergency responders with gear

Available Models:

Glassgate 150 Plus – 1000mm lane widths with windowless beam matrix
Glassgate 400 – 1000mm lane widths with four barrier height options
Glassgate 155 – 1200mm lane widths with waist-height barriers
Glassgate 400 Plus – 1200mm lane widths with four barrier height options

What Should You Consider When Installing Accessible Turnstiles?

Successfully implementing accessible entrance control requires careful planning:

Space Planning:

Wider lanes require more physical space, but often reduce the total number of lanes needed
Professional assessment optimizes layouts for accessibility and space utilization
Integration with existing architectural elements
ADA-compliant pathways and signage

System Integration:

Compatibility with existing access control infrastructure
Integration with current card readers, databases, and security protocols
Seamless transition and operation
Backup systems for redundancy

Staff Training:

Security personnel training on accessibility features
Appropriate assistance protocols for users with disabilities
Understanding when and how to provide help
Emergency procedures for accessible systems

Maintenance Planning:

Regular maintenance schedules for advanced detection systems
Qualified service providers identified before installation
Preventive maintenance to avoid operational disruptions
Performance monitoring and optimization

How Much Do Accessible Security Turnstiles Cost?

While initial investment in advanced accessible turnstiles may be higher, they often deliver a lower total cost of ownership:

Cost Benefits:

Reduced maintenance needs with advanced systems
Fewer false alarms reduce operational costs
Improved efficiency reduces staffing requirements
Future-proofing prevents costly upgrades

Risk Mitigation:

Exceeding minimum requirements provides a regulatory buffer
Reduces liability risks from accessibility incidents
Confidence during accessibility audits and inspections
Protection against future compliance costs

What’s Next for Accessible Security Technology?

As technology continues advancing, the future of accessible security includes:

Enhanced AI recognition for different mobility devices
Integration with building management systems for personalized assistance
Voice-activated controls for users with limited mobility
Advanced materials that improve visibility and durability
IoT connectivity for predictive maintenance and performance monitoring

Setting New Accessibility Standards

Toronto’s Accessibility Design Guidelines have established important minimum standards, but leading organizations are choosing to exceed these requirements significantly. Modern security turnstiles prove that accessibility and security are not competing priorities—they’re complementary goals that can be achieved simultaneously.

By implementing solutions like Smarter Security’swider lane portfoliothat provide 1200mm lane widths, contactless operation, and intelligent detection systems, organizations create environments that welcome everyone while maintaining the highest security standards.

The investment in accessibility excellence pays dividends through:

Improved user experiences for all visitors
Enhanced operational efficiency and reduced costs
Strong organizational reputation for inclusion
Future-proof compliance with evolving standards

For organizations in the GTA ready to transform their entrance experience, modern turnstile solutions offer the perfect combination of accessibility, security, and efficiency. The question isn’t whether to meet accessibility standards—it’s how far to exceed them.

This article was reviewed for accuracy byColin Wright, the President of Integracom Management Consultants Inc., and Sales Channel Development at Smarter Security.

Colin Wright is the President of Integracom Management Consultants Inc. with over 30 years of experience in management consulting, specializing in business architecture, strategic planning, and innovative security solutions, including patented drone technology and solar-powered perimeter detection systems. His extensive career spans leadership roles in telecommunications, government IT planning, and business development in the security industry.

How Real-time Occupancy Management Enhances Security

Shana McCoy — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:00:00 GMT

It is obvious that in an emergency, knowing exactly how many people are in various areas within your facility becomes paramount. It’s why technology that supports this effort is becoming a “must” for security leaders who are building a holistic security program that protects not only assets – but people – from harm.

However, it is not always as obvious that the collection of population data for those same areas provides the situational awareness necessary to make buildings “smarter” and more efficient. For example, the automatic adjustment of HVAC and lighting systems can save hundreds of dollars a year if they are restricted from running at full power when nobody is in the space.

From a manpower resource perspective, this knowledge helps allocate security personnel more effectively to areas with higher populations for crowd control. Or more importantly, to deploy them to areas where there are people in a space when no one should be there at that time.

Gathering real-time population data within a facility can not only save lives when emergency situations arise, but can also reduce costs when connected to building automation and other systems. Accurately tracking and recording population data for allocated zones, as well as for entire buildings, can improve security and have meaningful, quantifiable impacts on a company’s bottom line.

Here, we define what real-time occupancy management is, along with the core security applications of the technology, how specific industries use it, and what’s next for its use cross-functionally in an organization.

What is real-time occupancy management?

The ability to continually track and analyze the number of people in a space using data collected from sensors and other technologies is real-time occupancy management. At one time, this was a highly manual process, with the need for a person to monitor headcounts in offices or commercial buildings, often holding a manual hand ‘clicker’ to increase the displayed count total with each click. However, various technologies have helped to automate this.

In many cases, the ability to track people entering and exiting a space can help leadership make more informed decisions regarding staffing levels, cleaning schedules, and other operational needs that impact the business’s success. In other cases, such as reporting the number of passengers and crew on a passenger ferry before it disembarks, it is a legal requirement that must be fulfilled.

The rise in the adoption of real-time occupancy management technology is being driven by the need for efficient energy management in smart buildings and the shift toward hybrid work. At its core, the data gathered from this technology can play a role in better space utilization, resource allocation, and overall safety and security protocols. This data can inform leadership about how spaces are being utilized, including during peak times, underutilized areas, and areas where excessive traffic may be causing bottlenecks that can be addressed through improved processes.

How is real-time occupancy data used for security applications?

While the technology associated with real-time occupancy data has broad implications for energy efficiency within a facility – think automatic lights in a hallway or the ability to manage HVAC based on whether anyone is present – there are significant opportunities to use this technology for security purposes:

Entry and Exit Monitoring

Deploying technology that helps control the flow of traffic – and provides valuable automated occupancy tracking – helps security leaders detect unauthorized entries and exits. Not only can this data help drive better traffic flow, but it can also serve as a valuable data point for creating audit trails for security investigations.

However, facility managers have to be aware that the number of people reported in a facility by the access control system for valid card users might not be an accurate total. The number of authorized and unauthorized visitors entering the facility must also be known. How many of us have seen a group of people walking through an unlocked security door after the first person in the group badges in and opens it?

Traffic Flow Analysis for Threat Detection

In some cases, the flow of traffic from one area to another can spike concerns when there are unusual movement patterns or atypical peak times. This could indicate a security risk. Using historical data gathered through average movement and occupancy, the technology can establish baseline behavior patterns that can contribute to the identification of abnormal behavior. Being able to proactively recognize these potential incidents through anomalies in traffic flow can go a long way in protecting facilities from threats.

Crowd Control and Emergency Response

In particularly sensitive areas – or areas where crowding can become a problem, such as at a sporting event – real-time occupancy data can help identify overcrowding that would prevent emergency response from being able to access specific areas if needed.

Managing crowd levels can help security personnel ensure that proper evacuation procedures are in place should they need to use them, and to automatically deploy the appropriate number of staff to manage a crowd of that reported size. These accurate headcounts become extremely critical during emergency situations, providing crucial data for first responders to ensure that no one in a facility is left behind.

How do certain vertical markets use occupancy management data?

The implications of real-time occupancy management technology are broad and can be used across industries to provide additional data for security enhancements. Such industries include:

K-12 Schools

Precise campus occupancy monitoring can protect students by providing accurate counts in the event of an emergency. When students are outside of their classrooms in the cafeteria or in the library, the use of real-time occupancy management technology can identify how many students are present and need to be accounted for in the event of a fire, active shooter, or any another type of emergency. Integrating this technology with lockdown procedures and emergency protocols can add more oversight for compliance purposes. Additionally, the technology can support more streamlined visitor management and prevent unauthorized access by adding an additional layer of protection that ensures compliance with safety regulations and capacity limits.

Commercial Buildings

The data collected from real-time occupancy management technology can be used to ensure adequate levels of protection from on-site security, while maintaining the ability to act quickly in the event of an emergency. Being able to accurately tell when someone might be working late in an office building can help protect that person (or those people) when they’re exiting the building or in case of a fire or emergency.

Additionally, being able to count the number of people in each location when occupancy limits are in place can provide security leaders or facilities managers with the information needed to control the size of crowds in a specific area. The ability to also manage the coverage for workspaces and determine whether additional security guards or resources are needed to protect the area is critical.

Retail and Public Spaces

In retail locations, a significant amount of thought is devoted to merchandising to influence sales, which includes technologies such as heat mapping to analyze traffic flow through a store. Similarly, this technology can be used to strategically monitor traffic flow and enhance retail loss prevention by identifying areas where people tend to congregate. Doing so can allow retailers to allocate more resources to this area as a deterrent for theft or other crimes.

On the positive side, knowing where there is more traffic flow can help retailers with product placement decisions to increase “impulse buy” decisions by customers.

Public and Event Venues

Large crowd sizes at concerts or sporting events come with their own unique challenges for security leaders, but real-time occupancy management can tell a clearer story about the necessary resources for venue safety and crowd management. The data collected can tell a story about how visitors enter and exit the facility, as well as the volume at any given point in time, allowing processes to be adjusted to better manage this in the future.

The ability to analyze this data not only helps create a better atmosphere, but also allows security leaders to have actionable data for better controlling the flow of people in and out of a facility.

What else is possible with real-time occupancy management technology?

Monitoring traffic flow for predictive security: using patterns to predict and prevent security incidents, identifying (and addressing) bottlenecks that create vulnerabilities, and optimizing security staffing based on real-time data for coverage.

Integrating with comprehensive security systems: the ability for security leaders to connect occupancy management tech with video surveillance, create automated alerts and response using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and being able to ingest the data through comprehensive security dashboards that are easy to interpret for actionable intelligence.

Integrating with various threat detection technologies: The ability to receive inputs from systems like fire alarms, weapons detection, flooding, or even biohazard technologies, and merge them with real-time population data, to automatically initiate emergency responses to the threat and provide protective measures for people in various parts of the facility.

What’s next for real-time occupancy management technology?

While AI is used a lot in conversations around emerging trends, it’s also making a significant impact on the real-time occupancy management technology platforms. Driven by the need to make sense of a massive amount of data being collected by any number of security solutions – this technology included – AI-driven technology can enable businesses to optimize the use of space within a facility, energy consumption trends, and occupant behavior. Taken together, this data can paint a high-level picture of how a facility is being used – or not used, in some cases – to better allocate resources and potential cost savings that drive better business decisions.

For security, the rise of more intelligence-driven technology in real-time occupancy management use cases will lead to the development of more fully integrated smart security ecosystems that utilize incoming data from a variety of sensors to determine proper security staffing levels, optimize emergency response protocols, and more.

How Smarter Security Supports Real-Time Occupancy Management

Modern organizations aren’t looking for static tools that only solve one problem. They’re seeking dynamic, intelligence-driven solutions that can automate occupancy measurement, provide real-time data for informed decision-making, and create spaces that are not only functional but also safe and secure.

Comprehensive Population Tracking Solutions

Population counting with technologies from Smarter Security accurately tracks and records population data for allocated zones, as well as for entire buildings. These solutions work seamlessly with most Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective® models to monitor and record the number of people passing through lanes, along with the changes in population in different zones. And they even count the number of people who entered and exited the space without presenting a badge, sometimes as an authorized escorted visitor, and sometimes as an unauthorized “tailgater” through unlocked doors.

Integrated Software and Hardware Solutions

FastCount is a Windows application that works specifically with Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective products to deliver complete population monitoring across your entire facility. The software allows users to track and record the number of people passing through lanes and monitor population changes in different zones in real-time. Using Fastlane Connect, the system communicates over your local network, receiving live count data from multiple zones and giving security leaders the real-time visibility they need to make informed decisions.

The hardware foundation centers around proven Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective Plus models, which use acclaimed multi-beam infrared matrix technology for accurate passage detection and alarm information. The Fastlane Multilane Controller serves as the command center, capable of communicating with and monitoring up to 63 lanes via IP connectivity. This provides the scalability required for large facilities while maintaining precision in population tracking across every entry and exit point.

Rapid Deployment for Immediate Security Needs

Recognizing that some organizations require immediate population control capabilities, our Door Detective Compact provides a cost-effective solution that can be deployed in approximately 15 minutes. This “plug-and-play” system uses proven infrared optical technology to monitor doorways and provides instant visual feedback – green lights for safe entry, red lights when capacity limits are reached, and flashing red with audible alarms when thresholds are exceeded.

Beyond Basic Counting – Enhanced Security Intelligence

What makes our occupancy management solutions particularly valuable for security applications is their ability to provide the comprehensive data needed for entry and exit monitoring, traffic flow analysis for threat detection, and crowd control during emergency response situations. The technology supports all the critical security applications discussed earlier – from detecting unauthorized entries to establishing baseline behavior patterns that help identify potential security risks.

Building More Intelligent, Safer Facilities

When integrated with Building Automation Systems, our population counting solutions deliver the dual benefits of enhanced security and operational efficiency. This integration enables the automatic adjustment of HVAC and lighting systems based on actual occupancy, creating the cost savings and energy efficiency that make buildings truly intelligent while maintaining the security oversight that protects people and assets.

Utilizing this technology has the potential to establish a more robust security posture across the entire organization. Centered around the strategic use of occupancy data, this technology can be used to better protect people within a facility, creating a safer and more proactive environment that addresses the evolving security challenges facing today’s organizations.

Ready to transform your facility’s security and operational efficiency with intelligent occupancy management?

Contact Smarter Security today to learn how our proven solutions can be customized for your specific needs and security requirements.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Colin Wright, the President of Integracom Management Consultants Inc., and Sales Channel Development at Smarter Security.

Colin Wright is the President of Integracom Management Consultants Inc. with over 30 years of experience in management consulting, specializing in business architecture, strategic planning, and innovative security solutions, including patented drone technology and solar-powered perimeter detection systems. His extensive career spans leadership roles across telecommunications, government IT planning, and security industry business development.

Hidden Vulnerabilities in Access Control | Smarter Security

Shana McCoy — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Organizations invest heavily in sophisticated cybersecurity defenses while often overlooking a fundamental vulnerability hiding in plain sight: unsecured physical access points. While digital threats dominate headlines, the simple act of an unauthorized person walking through an open door can compromise years of security investment in seconds. Access control systems serve as the first line of defense, but their true effectiveness depends on identifying and addressing critical gaps that traditional solutions leave exposed. By understanding these vulnerabilities and implementing intelligent countermeasures, organizations can transform their weakest links into fortified barriers that protect both people and assets.

The Insider Threat: A Growing Concern

Insider threats, which are internal risks from individuals within a company, can pose significant dangers to an organization’s finances, reputation, security, and operations. These threats can have serious implications. Don’t believe us? Let’s review some concerning statistics:

34% of data breaches are caused by internal personnel.
The Ponemon Institute reports that insider-related incidents can cost an organization an average of $15.38 million.
Negligent employees or contractors are responsible for 62% of insider threat incidents.
Insiders with stolen credentials account for 25% of all security incidents.

These figures emphasize the critical need for enhanced physical security measures beyond traditional access control to safeguard open doors and access points.

Limitations of Traditional Access Control

Basic access control systems, including locks, card readers, and biometric scanners, are important but have inherent weaknesses:

Inability to prevent tailgating: Traditional systems can’t stop unauthorized individuals from following authorized personnel into secure areas.
Failure to monitor open doors: They do not track when doors are left open or propped, creating potential vulnerabilities.
Lack of detection for unauthorized exits: These systems often overlook unauthorized individuals exiting secure areas.
High costs: Biometric systems can be expensive, including the purchase and upkeep, employee training, and enrollment, making them out of reach for many organizations.

These vulnerabilities can lead to serious security breaches, especially in high-security environments like data centers, government facilities, hospitals, and laboratories.

Door Security Devices and Their Prevention Capabilities

Let’s delve into the different types of door security devices available, examining the specific threats they are designed to combat. From traditional locks to more advanced technology, each device plays a critical role in safeguarding our businesses against unauthorized access. By understanding the unique vulnerabilities each device addresses, we can make informed choices to enhance our overall security.

Mechanical Locks

Prevent: Unauthorized entry through secured doorways and basic perimeter protection
Limitations: Vulnerable to picking, key duplication, and physical bypass methods

Physical Access Control Systems

Prevent: Unauthorized entry through credential verification and access logging capabilities
Limitations: Cannot detect tailgating, piggybacking, or multiple person entries per credential

Video Surveillance

Prevent: Visual deterrence of unauthorized access attempts and incident documentation
Limitations: Requires constant monitoring, is reactive rather than preventive, and has no active intervention

Video Analytics

Prevent: Automated detection of suspicious behavior patterns and real-time alerting for security violations
Limitations: Requires continuous monitoring, poor performance in low light, and high false alarm rates

Biometrics

Prevent: Identity fraud through unique biological verification and unauthorized credential sharing
Limitations: High costs, enrollment requirements, performance issues with damaged readers, and can’t detect tailgating

REX (Request to Exit) Device

Prevent: False alarms from authorized exits and unnecessary lock engagement during legitimate departures
Limitations: Cannot distinguish authorized from unauthorized individuals, vulnerable to external manipulation

Motion Sensors

Prevent: Undetected movement in secured areas and unauthorized presence in restricted zones
Limitations: Cannot differentiate between personnel types, and false alarms from environmental factors

Door Contacts

Prevent: Alerts when doors are opened unexpectedly
Limitations: Don’t prevent tailgating or monitor authorized entries

Door Detective

Prevents:

Tailgating and piggybacking
Unauthorized direction of travel
Doors being propped open
Loitering in secure areas
Anti-passback violations

Additional Benefits:

Counts how many people are in a room and passes through each entry point
Integration with existing access control and video systems
Adjustable sensitivity for different security needs
Performs in all interior lighting conditions
Manages crowded environments without false alarms
Object deterrence
No training needed at the door, like video analytics

The Door Detective addresses multiple exposures that other devices can’t tackle individually. It provides a comprehensive solution for monitoring and controlling access through open or unlocked doors, significantly enhancing overall security.

Industry-Specific Benefits
Different sectors can leverage advanced door security devices to enhance their protection:

Data Centers: Organizations can prevent unauthorized access to server rooms and maintain compliance with data protection regulations.
Government Facilities: These facilities can secure classified areas and effectively monitor movement between security clearance zones.
Hospitals: Healthcare institutions can protect sensitive areas like pharmacies and patient records while ensuring proper isolation protocols in infectious disease wards.
Laboratories: Research facilities can safeguard valuable equipment and control access to hazardous materials. Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!

The Smarter Security Advantage

At Smarter Security, we understand the critical nature of these challenges. Our Door Detective solution offers state-of-the-art protection against tailgating, unauthorized access, and other physical security vulnerabilities. By integrating seamlessly with existing systems, it provides an additional layer of security that classic locks simply can’t match.

The Door Detective comes in various models to suit different needs:

Compact: Ideal for minimal footprint requirements
Plus: Offers Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities
Classic: Features adjustable beams for customized detection
SG: Designed for sidegate® collusion detection and double doors

Each Door Detective model can address the highest security levels of concern while maintaining ease of integration with existing infrastructure, ensuring that your specific security needs are being met.

Conclusion

As security threats continue to evolve, it’s crucial to address vulnerabilities in physical access control. By implementing advanced solutions like the Door Detective, organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure and protect their most valuable assets. Don’t let an open door become your weakest link – secure it with better technology.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Executive VP of Smarter Security, Clayton Brown

Clayton Brown serves as Executive Vice President at Smarter Security, the leading provider of hand-crafted optical turnstiles, and is a co-founder of ReconaSense, the only FICAM-certified risk-adaptive physical access control solution (RAdPACS) using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. As a member of SIA’s Government Relations Committee and Data Privacy Board, Clayton proudly represents a next-generation of practitioners dedicated to bringing data-driven ideas to existing physical security challenges.

Understanding Turnstile ROI-Smarter Security Inc

Shana McCoy — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:00:00 GMT

In today’s security-conscious environment, organizations of all sizes are evaluating their access control investments with increasing scrutiny. Operational efficiency and security are paramount for business success, with decision-makers constantly seeking ways to optimize operations and protect assets. While turnstiles represent a significant capital expenditure, they deliver exceptional return on investment through multiple channels: enhanced security, operational efficiency, reduced staffing requirements, and valuable data collection capabilities. Whether for a public venue or a private building, organizations across all sectors see significant returns from upgrading their entrance control systems.

The Financial Case for High-Quality Turnstiles

Security Breach Prevention

The most obvious—yet often undervalued—ROI factor is breach prevention. A single security incident can cost organizations tens of thousands in direct losses, remediation expenses, and reputational damage. Modern turnstiles with sophisticated tailgating and sidegate detection features, like those in the Fastlane range, ensure that only authorized individuals gain entry. These advanced technologies significantly enhance security protocols by safeguarding both physical and digital assets, helping organizations avoid legal, financial, and reputational risks associated with security breaches.

Staffing Optimization

Traditionally, organizations relied on security personnel to manage entry points—a significant ongoing expense. Modern turnstiles enable unmanned entry points without compromising security, allowing security teams to focus on more complex tasks. By automating entrance control, organizations can realize substantial cost savings. Case in point: a Class-A high-rise in Chicago achieved a remarkable 262% ROI within five years after implementing Fastlane Glassgate turnstiles, based primarily on security staff reduction and reallocation.

Operational Efficiency

The speed at which employees and visitors can enter a facility directly impacts productivity. Legacy turnstiles often create a bottleneck during peak hours, while advanced optical turnstiles can process people much quicker. For instance, Fastlane turnstiles are capable of up to 60 people per minute throughputs—making them among the most efficient systems on the market. This automated efficiency streamlines entry by making entrance decisions quickly and accurately, resulting in smoother people flow, fewer delays, and more effective crowd management. Enhanced user experience creates a positive first impression, reducing long queues and wait times that can negatively impact staff and visitors.

Case Studies: Turnstile ROI in Action

PG&E Headquarters, San Francisco

PG&E, a major utility provider in Northern California with over 8,000 people passing through their San Francisco headquarters daily, upgraded their existing turnstiles to address security breaches while meeting stringent historical building requirements:

Installation of 13 Fastlane Glassgate 200 turnstiles with FastTouch remotes
Enhanced security with taller glass barriers and pressure sensors preventing unauthorized access
Significant cost savings exceeding $250,000 annually by reducing dedicated security personnel
Improved life safety through emergency egress features and fire control system integration
Minimal disruption with installation completed over a single weekend

Chicago High-Rise

A Class-A high-rise in downtown Chicago needed to enhance security and streamline entry for its 2,500 tenants and over 200 daily visitors:

Implementation of Fastlane Glassgate 200 turnstiles integrated with the building’s access control system
Significantly increased throughput speed, reducing lobby congestion during peak hours
Dramatic improvement in security through prevention of unauthorized access
262% ROI achieved within five years based on security staff reduction alone

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

The University faced challenges with unauthorized meal access in their dining halls, leading to revenue loss and long waiting times during peak hours:

Installation of Fastlane Glassgate 150s integrated with the existing student ID card system
50% reduction in meal theft, resulting in substantial cost savings
70% decrease in queue times during peak meal periods
Improved student satisfaction through more efficient dining experiences

Read our complete case studies collection for more ROI success stories across various industries.

Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership

When assessing turnstile ROI, organizations should look beyond the initial purchase price and consider the total cost of ownership (TCO), including:

Installation Requirements: Not all turnstile systems are the same, as some manufacturers’ products require extensive floor modifications or additional infrastructure. Intelligent turnstile products, such as Fastlane turnstiles, typically require minimal floor preparation—as demonstrated in the PG&E headquarters installation, where the historic marble flooring was preserved with only six bolts per pedestal and subsequently covered seamlessly.
Integration Capabilities: Modern turnstiles can seamlessly integrate with various advanced access control systems, including touchless sensors, biometric authentication, and role-based controls. Features like Fastlane’s SmarterMount accessory enable easy integration of scanners and biometrics without drilling into the turnstile, providing cost-effective adaptability as security needs evolve.
Energy Efficiency: Modern turnstiles with energy-efficient designs consume significantly less power than older models. For example, Fastlane turnstiles operate at only 24VDC, contributing to sustainability efforts while generating long-term utility bill savings. Such eco-conscious designs may also contribute to LEED certification points.
Maintenance and Longevity: When evaluating entrance control solutions, consider ongoing expenses like maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage. Systems with fewer moving parts typically result in lower maintenance costs over their operational lifespan.

Advanced Technology Integration Benefits

Beyond basic access control, modern turnstile solutions offer additional value through smart technology integration:

Integration with Smart Technologies: Today’s turnstiles can seamlessly integrate with various advanced access control systems, including touchless sensors, biometric authentication, and role-based controls—bolstering security while protecting critical data.
Occupancy Management & Traffic Analysis: Real-time building occupancy information supports space utilization planning, emergency response, and understanding of peak entry/exit times for better resource allocation.
Comprehensive Security Ecosystem: Integration with access control, visitor management, and building automation systems creates an interconnected security infrastructure that maximizes operational efficiency while minimizing vulnerabilities.

Calculating Your Turnstile ROI

To determine potential ROI for your organization, consider these factors:

Current security staffing costs at entry points
Historical security incident expenses
Value of lost productivity due to entry delays
Integration benefits with existing systems
Compliance requirements and associated costs

Most organizations find that high-quality turnstile systems achieve complete ROI within 12-24 months, with continued benefits accruing throughout their 7-10 year operational lifespan.

Conclusion

While turnstile solutions represent a significant initial investment, they provide organizations with a powerful tool to enhance security, improve operational efficiency, and achieve substantial cost savings. Their long-term financial benefits through enhanced security, operational efficiency, and reduced staffing requirements deliver exceptional ROI—as demonstrated by real-world results like the Chicago high-rise’s 262% return within five years or PG&E’s annual savings exceeding $250,000.

With advanced technology integrations, sleek design options, and measurable financial returns, these turnstiles deliver long-term value across various sectors, from office buildings and corporate headquarters to university campuses, leisure centers, stadiums, and healthcare facilities. By taking a comprehensive view of both direct and indirect benefits, organizations can make informed decisions about turnstile implementations that align with their security needs and business objectives.

For decision-makers weighing the cost of upgrading their entrance control systems, our security consultants can help evaluate specific challenges and identify the right solution to maximize ROI and long-term value.