GATE SECURITY – A CASE STUDY
LLOYD SHERMAN, March 4, 2022
A recent article penned by Kirk Goddard Larson discussed the reasons why having a barrier gate system was not functional for our location. (Click here to read Mr. Larson’s article.) From my perspective, I was never thinking about a system that included a barrier. So let me lay out the concept I would be exploring if it were within my purview to do so.
Throughout my active working career, technology was always key to the development of activities I undertook. I won’t bore you with those details, however, properly-used technology can be a huge advantage in making operations more efficient. On the other hand, not properly vetted and implemented, can be a curse and create more issues than it resolves.
CONCEPT – Toll tag technology is currently in use in about 45 states within the USA. When it first started, it was based on manned toll booths and slowly moved to almost exclusive use of RFID technology to reduce staffing levels and improve throughput.
So, let’s take the “express lane” approach to ingress to HSV. Both the Hwy 7 and Hwy 5 gates already have the perfect setup for this type of approach. This technology combines the use of RFID stickers, cameras, and software to track the collection of tolls.
Short of collecting a toll, this same technology could be utilized at both of our gates. The reader reads the RFID sticker, the camera shoots a picture of the license plate, and the software compares them to ensure they are an authorized user. No stopping anybody in the “express lane” but now you have captured information on the vehicles that may have entered, but shouldn’t have. You can at this point make a determination if this event is going to send an immediate alert to the police dispatcher, or simply flag it, and when and if it happens again an alert is raised. Over time you build up a database of those who continue to violate the rules and you make a determination as to when they are put on some kind of a list for action. You could expand a system of this nature as you learn and start charging fees for those who continue to violate the rules; put out “wanted” posters on serial offenders (sort of kidding), or a myriad of other considerations.
APPROACH – Below are the typical stages when considering an RFID system:
• Define the business problem
• Establish the Business Case (Project Scoping)
• Understand the potential and limitations of RFID technology
• Define the project objectives
• Analysis of the Existing System (Collect information & information analysis)
• Develop a Project Road Map
• System Design (Requirement analysis)
• Hardware/software selection
• Develop a new process
• Proof of Concept (Prototype Testing)
• Debug
• System Adaptation
• Pilot Implementation
• Full Implementation (System deployment & training
• Continuous Improvement (Monitoring & collecting feedback from users)
The key to developing technology changes is ensuring you have the right person driving the bus. If you don’t have someone on staff with the capability to perform the analysis (and I don’t believe we do), engage someone who does. In this case, someone like Mr. Larson who has been there and done that.
The other key has been mentioned previously in posts regarding the failed attempt to implement this type of system in the past. That is, do we have the capacity to even approach an RFID concept? Will our WiFi infrastructure allow for the implementation and maintenance of an RFID application?
I don’t have the answers to these questions, but if I were to explore this type of opportunity, I would certainly know the answer to those basic questions before I headed down that road.
Interested in learning more about this type of technology? Start here: RFIDjournal.com
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Melanie Clark
03/04/2022 — 9:26 am
Thank you for all this information.
Ron Limbock
03/04/2022 — 9:51 am
I for one don’t want the POA or anyone else tracking my movements. The gates work fine. Problem is unruly residents.
Tom Blakeman
03/04/2022 — 6:12 pm
Well then, if you have a cell phone better keep it wrapped up in aluminum foil and do not watch tv anymore. Sad to say but almost every move anyone makes these days is being tracked by someone, somehow, somewhere.
Anne Shears
03/04/2022 — 10:12 am
Wasn’t this similar technology to the previous attempt to issue chipped decals for gate access? As I recall, the lawsuit (settled by the previous board) came about because POA kept sending change orders and, eventually, outdid the computer system? Maybe this should be revisited and studied by an ad hoc committee to determine ( 1) feasibility (2) cost (3) compatibility with our present systems.
LLOYD SHERMAN
03/04/2022 — 11:03 am
Great idea. Give it to a committee. That will certainly ensure nothing actually ever gets done. LOL
It would need to be headed up by someone who has experience actually doing these types of products. Otherwise it ends up being more of the same.
HSVP C
03/04/2022 — 10:22 am
It is the policy of this website to only publish comments made with a real first and last name. Thank you in advance for understanding.
Robert Busse
03/04/2022 — 11:50 am
An RFID system is very feasible for access to our Village. The problem is the associated information that is wanted to be gathered from the basic system. It is my understanding that the previous attempt (by last CEO) got to be so complicated and the system was to initiate so much information that the provider would have had to come up with totally new software to accomplish what was demanded. If our needs from the system could be somewhat simplified, an RFID system could be installed (much already there) and used effectively. It could possibly eliminate one guard, who now controls/monitors the POA sticker lane.
Jean Fricke
03/04/2022 — 11:53 am
The RFID allows any and everyone access. Granted it takes a picture of an offender but does not keep them out. We are already short-handed in our police department and they would not have the capacity to chase offenders or search for them in HSV. Offenders can’t currently be found as it is because HSV is too large to police every vehicle that enters legally or illegally. HSV doesn’t have the capacity to fine or require a fee from an offender legally. We are not a large city like Houston or Dallas with a staff to manage fees and mailings requiring offenders to pay, or have the legal bites to fine anyone.
There are better ways of doing this that work for smaller communities. We definitely need to find a system that works for our current and future retirees. There will always be naysayers but many of the people moved here because of the feeling of security… we need to furnish that security for the majority, and not cave to the minority.
Just my opinion….
Frances Pennington
03/04/2022 — 2:29 pm
I for one believe our gate system is working just fine. I think we should see how our budget works this year before thinking about changing the gate system.
Tom Blakeman
03/04/2022 — 6:15 pm
Great report Lloyd.