Parking facility owners often choose gate systems to boost security, cut attendant costs, and streamline payment collection. But these systems, first introduced in the 1950s, are increasingly being outperformed by modern, more efficient technologies. Today, smarter access and enforcement solutions offer lower costs, higher reliability, and better security than traditional gates.
Before investing in a gate system, here are five key considerations worth weighing carefully:
A single-arm gate can cost several thousand dollars upfront. But that’s just the beginning. Maintenance contracts, software upgrades, access control services, and support fees quickly add up. Add to that lost revenue from downtime during repairs, and the total cost can balloon.
Example: One facility using gate arms spent over $10,000 in a single year just on repairs after repeated mechanical failures and driver damage. None of that accounts for the revenue lost while waiting on technicians.
By contrast, modern Scan-to-Pay and AI-powered License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems typically involve little to no hardware and minimal maintenance.
Many operators discover that determined drivers will simply force their way through a gate. That means broken arms, emergency maintenance calls, and delays for paying customers. Every hour of downtime means lost revenue and operational headaches.
Gates are designed to be both flexible and rigid, which makes them vulnerable to dangerous failures. A gate lowering at the wrong moment can injure pedestrians, damage vehicles, and create potential legal liability for the property owner.
These incidents are more common than most operators realize, and the legal and insurance costs can escalate quickly.
Gate systems often rely on credit card readers to automate payments. In theory, that should speed things up. In practice, it often does the opposite. Long entry and exit lines, congested traffic, and frustrated customers are common in high-volume facilities.
Technical failures make matters worse. One Midwest garage received over 900 monthly service calls for malfunctioning credit card readers, requiring operator dispatches and even police involvement during off-hours.
Traditional gate systems are primarily revenue control tools, not security systems. They don’t deter theft or protect vehicles.
On the other hand, AI LPR systems can integrate with camera networks used by municipalities and law enforcement, flagging vehicles tied to violations or security concerns in real time. This adds an active security layer without relying on a flimsy mechanical arm.
More and more operators are moving away from expensive, maintenance-heavy gate systems and turning to flexible, modern access solutions. Scan to Pay and AI-powered License Plate Recognition (LPR) work together to create a parking experience that’s simpler for drivers and more profitable for owners.
Scan to Pay eliminates the need for physical infrastructure, letting customers pay instantly through a QR code on their phone. There are no moving parts to maintain, no long entry lines, and no expensive repairs when something breaks.
AI LPR adds a powerful layer of automation and enforcement. Every vehicle is logged upon entry, billing is automatic, and violations are flagged in real time. This improves compliance without requiring attendants or hardware-heavy systems.
Together, these tools allow operators to:
This combination gives property owners the ability to manage and secure their parking lots or garages efficiently without sacrificing the customer experience.