As a business or property owner, you would want your area to be as secure and efficiently managed as possible, especially when it comes to your parking lot. To prevent your parking area from turning into public parking, investing in barriers is a rational decision. These advanced security systems are a perfect solution to control vehicle traffic in and out of your office premises or commercial buildings. Moreover, these barriers not only help ensure the security of the property but also increase its value.
However, owners often face confusion when choosing between automated and manual barrier systems. In the following blog, we will focus on boom barriers vs. automated gate barriers. Read till the end to discover which barrier type is the best choice for your parking lot.
Manual Boom Barrier Systems
Manual barriers are a simpler and cost-effective solution for restricting vehicle traffic. These are often used in public and private car parks and are widely used to control entry during specific times. Here are some of the benefits of manual boom barriers that make it a suitable choice for locations where automation is not necessary:
Benefits
- Cost-Effective: Installing manual boom barriers is highly cost-effective, especially when compared to automated systems. This is because these systems do not have complex mechanisms and electric components. As a result, they are a practical choice for small businesses or facilities with limited vehicle control that need to control access but want to avoid high capital expenses.
- Low Maintenance: As the manual system does not have multiple moving parts and lacks electrical components like a motor, these barriers require low maintenance. Not only this, these arm-raise barriers remain functional for a long time without the need for frequent professional services.
- Secure Locking Mechanism: Manual boom barriers have secure locking mechanisms, allowing you to easily open the barrier whenever access is required during the day. Moreover, you can also securely lock it at night to avoid unauthorised access. This feature provides a flexible option for access control.
- No Need for Electricity: As the name suggests, manual barriers do not require electricity to function. This makes it ideal for areas where there is unstable power supply or for facilities with environment-sensitive areas. Moreover, their independence from electricity ensures that they remain functional even during power outages. Lastly, it also reduces the risk of system failures due to electrical failures.
- Durability: These barriers are made from high-quality materials like steel that can withstand harsh weather conditions and long-term usage. Since the system does not consist of any mechanical components, it does not face complications that can arise with electronic systems, such as short circuits caused by water leakage.
- No Complex Operations: It is one of the primary benefits of manual boom barriers. These systems operate on a simple mechanism, typically a pole lifted by hand. Therefore, it prevents the risk of potential technical issues related to sensor-based systems.
Drawbacks
Like all security systems, manual barriers have a few cons, which are as follows:
- Labor Intensive: Manual barriers require an individual every time a vehicle needs to pass. This can be quite difficult in bad weather or during high traffic.
- Lack of Technology: These barriers do not consist of modern security systems, making them less effective than automated gate barriers.
Automatic Boom Barrier System
These technologically advanced boom barriers provide secure and automated solutions for controlling vehicle access within the facility. You can commonly see these barriers in places like car parks, industrial sites, and gated communities. Some of the benefits of an automatic barrier system are as follows:
Benefits
- Remote Operation: One of the primary benefits of an automatic boom barrier system is its remote operation, meaning you can control the barriers virtually from anywhere. This feature is highly useful when staff are not always available on-site. It is a convenient vehicle control management option that is particularly beneficial in large facilities or during harsh weather conditions.
- Enhanced Security: Automated gate barriers incorporate modern technology, which helps prevent unauthorised access of vehicles to the parking lots. This level of control allows for monitoring and recording the entry and exit of vehicles, which is important for security purposes and incident investigations.
- Convenience: These security barrier systems do not require too much human intervention, making them an excellent choice for high vehicle traffic entrances. Since they are automated machines, they reduce the need for manual handling, thus enhancing efficiency. These systems are suitable for high-traffic settings where quick access control is crucial, including commercial parking lots, corporate offices, and residential complexes.
- Advanced Functionality: Most of the automatic boom barrier systems are equipped with microprocessor-based control panels, anti-crash beam sensors, loop detectors, and emergency stop mechanisms that ensure smooth and safe operation.
- Easy Installation: These barriers are designed for quick installation, minimizing the disruption to your premises. Its simple setup process provides a fully operational barrier in a short period of time, thus reducing the cost associated with complex installation.
Drawbacks
There are not many drawbacks to automated gate barriers; however, they do come with a few considerations:
- High Expenditure: Modern and advanced technology can cost a significant amount in comparison to manual barriers. However, if you reach out to trusted manufacturers, you can get affordable automatic boom barrier prices.
- Requires Maintenance: Due to its electrical components, the system often requires regular maintenance for enhanced motor functions. Timely maintenance will only save you money in the long run.
Which Is the Right Barrier for Your Parking Lot?
The decision between boom barriers vs. automated gate barriers depends on the specific requirements of your facility. If your parking lot experiences high traffic volume, then automatic barriers might be the better option for you, as they will allow you to manage large amounts of traffic. At the same time, your facility’s parking lot is located in remote areas where there is a lack of power supply, so manual arm barriers can be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
Automated and manual barriers both have their pros and cons. Selecting the right barrier for your parking lot highly depends on your budget, operational requirements, and specific needs. Manual arm-raise barriers are a cost-effective solution that demands less maintenance and is durable and ideal for small-scale facilities or locations with unstable power supply. However, their intense manual intervention can be a concern for some business owners.
Meanwhile, automated barriers provide a high level of security, convenience, and remote operation, making them an ideal fit for large enterprises, parking lots, and gated communities. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select the best solution for your parking lot’s requirements. If you are searching for affordable automatic boom barrier prices, reach out to HOM Automation. We provide cost-effective advanced security solutions with professional after-sale services. Contact us today for more information on our products.
