Gate with bar-code reader


This section should be read in conjunction with the following sections:

  • Passive gate or turnstile which describes the general technology, application and benefit/ cautions of gates and turnstiles;
  • Smart paper ticket, which describes the technical and application aspects of tickets with bar-codes;
  • Scanable image on phone or PDA, which describes the technical and application aspects of bar-codes stored on mobile phones and other portable user devices; and
  • Bar-code  reader, which describes the technology aspects of barcode readers, and how they are used in practice.  

This section only considers the specific aspects associated with use of bar-code readers with gates and turnstiles.

Gates or turnstiles can be linked to a bar-code reader for inspection, validation and fare collection purposes. The bar-code reader functions broadly in the same way as described in the section Bar-code reader. As with magnetic stripe readers, the difference is in how it is configured, and hence how the unit is packaged. There are two main approaches:

  • The bar-code reader is embedded in the gate or turnstile. The ticket or image on the mobile phone is scanned, verified, and if accepted, a signal is given to release the gate or turnstile; or
  • The barcode reader is a stand-alone unit, with a cable connector to the gate/turnstile release mechanism.

The application, fare product range and the functionality of the bar-code reader used in this mode is broadly comparable to those already described in the Smart paper ticket, Scanable image on phone or PDA, and Bar-code reader sections.

The main difference is the operational context, where the user performs a self-service scan of the bar-code to pass through a gate or turnstile. The more typical application is at unmanned locations, or locations where the gate or turnstile is unmanned but the general concourse area is under supervision. While not common, it is possible to integrate a barcode reader with an in-vehicle gate or turnstile.

Benefits of gates and turnstiles with barcode readers (relative to passive gates or turnstiles) are:

  • The gates can accept smart paper tickets and e-tickets on mobile phones and PDAs, and hence support a wide range of fare products.
  • When correctly used, can facilitate rapid customer throughput.
  • Facilitates secure, unmanned gates and turnstile control of access to the transit system.
  • Cash is removed from the system.
  • Full transaction data is generated.
  • When tickets are validated on exit as well, the correct tariff can be calculated thus eliminating opportunities for overriding. For bar-codes, this is only practical when charged to a user account.

Cautions with regard to gates and turnstiles with magnetic-stripe readers (relative to passive gates or turnstiles) are:

  • For new gates or turnstiles, the components and technology are more complex, with challenges of electronics and software.
  • For existing gates, additional components must be purchased, integrated and installed. This can present significant challenges where the gate did not have provision for interfacing with machine readable card accepters, or had limited processing power and memory.
  • The technical caution of barcode readers apply.
  • Additional maintenance requirements.
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