Why do people choose to live in gated communities?
According to one
study, since the 1970s the number of gated residential communities in the
United States has increased drastically[i]
and continues to grow.
People choose to reside in gated communities for added
security and peace of mind, not to mention superior property values. An
exceptional gated system alone can increase the value of a single-family home
by $50,000 or more.[ii]
Evidently, as the American population expands, the housing
market has experienced a concurrent demand for properties in gated residential
areas.
What are potential drawbacks associated with living in a gated
community?
 |
| Frustrated residents are dissatisfied residents |
Nevertheless, there
can be certain inconveniences associated with gated communities, both for
residents and property managers. For instance, entry gates that require users
to manually punch in a key code, or stop while a guard verifies their ID, can
be both frustrating and time consuming. The practice of stopping a vehicle or
rolling down a window can even pose a safety risk in some circumstances, for
example, when returning home late at night.
Especially
during busy hours, vehicle queues can stretch off the property and into the
street. Residents may get frustrated trying to enter their own community.
Furthermore, any gated community conscious of its environmental impact knows
that lines of idling vehicles will have an adverse impact on its carbon footprint.
 |
| A better solution provides convenient, hands-free access for residents |
From a management
perspective, the need to stop a vehicle for manual entry can greatly increase
maintenance and damage costs. Cars are far more likely to run into entrance bollards
if the driver is forced to present an ID or type in a code through the window.
Long wait lines tempt drivers to “tailgate,” or follow an authorized vehicle
closely through a gate to save time. More often than not, this practice results
in clipped gates that can take a long time to repair. All of these costs, of
course, increase expenses and decrease resident satisfaction.
How can RFID benefit both the residents and managers of a gated
community?
Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, offers a streamlined
solution to these common challenges. A system of RFID Readers and Tags
(transponders) allow a vehicle to approach an entry point, have its credential
automatically verified, and trigger the gate to open—without even stopping the
car. Integrated with a gated community’s existing access system, an RFID
solution can:
1.
Eliminate the need for security guards at
entry/exit points
2.
Offer residents hands-free, secure vehicle
access
3.
Result in exponentially more efficient vehicle
throughput, especially during busy hours
4.
Allow managers a greater measure of oversight
and control
5.
Reduce annual damages to gate systems
6.
Offer separate lanes for visitors and authorized
residents, streamlining access for both
7.
Virtually eliminate tailgating
For these reasons and more, RFID is an exceptional solution
for gated community applications. As the number of Americans living in gated
communities continues to grow, demand for such systems will, too.
To learn more about
how an RFID solution can work for your gated community and see examples, visit www.TagMasterNA.com, or call the TagMaster Team at
253-238-1421.
