Pay and display systems

In the UK, pay and display systems are used in a variety of parking areas including on-street parking, car parks and multi-story car parks. A pay and display system is most commonly used for monetising a vehicle parking area. They are simple to operate as they rely on the customer purchasing a ticket and displaying that ticket on their dashboard or windscreen. The details on a parking ticket will usually include the date, time of purchase, expiry time, cost of the ticket, location and the machine operator.

To ensure people follow this system an on-site parking attendant is required to check tickets are valid and on display. This attendant is also responsible for issuing parking notice charges should they find a vehicle without a valid parking ticket.

Compared to parking metres the main advantage of pay and display machines is that one machine can serve multiple vehicle spaces at a time. At Gateway Automation we offer custom manufactured parking systems to meet your requirements.

The Elite LS pay & display machine is made from 2.5mm steel with a reinforced armour plated vault and a 9mm reinforced vault door with no external lock. The vault is secured with an electronic locking and key locking system which is manufactured by KABA who are one of the leading providers of innovative access solutions within the security industry. This is an important feature as the Elite LS houses a 6 litre cash box. The machine can hold 4000 tickets on one roll and can accept either the Euro or the Pound depending on your location. It can be powered by solar or mains electricity, features a 5” monochrome display, you can choose the colour of your machine and it is also illuminated to make it visible in low light.

Additionally, our optional extras allow you to customise your machine to meet your individual needs. These options include:

• chip & pin payment system
• bank note acceptance
• alpha-numeric keypad
• GPRS (Web ASLAN) for real time monitoring
• additional 2^nd printer that increases ticket capacity to 8000
• spare cash box
• hardlite™ vault protection
• hybrid power system which uses a combination of mains and solar power
• anti-graffiti coating

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Preventing unwanted vehicle access 
• The benefits of barriers 
• Choosing gate security for your premises 

Speed ramps: An effective way to restrict speed

The primary purpose of speed ramps (also known as speed bumps, humps and ‘sleeping policeman’) is to restrict the speed of vehicles. This in turn adds a level of control to the area in which they are being used.

The aim of reducing vehicle speed is to improve public safety and therefore reduce the number of both pedestrian and vehicle accidents in the area. Speeds ramps have become more common in car parks and on roads because they effectively encourage traffic to move slowly.

One of the earliest examples of speed ramps was implemented in 1906, where the height of a pedestrian road crossing was raised by 5 inches above the road level in Chatham, New Jersey. After basic design work by notable physicist Arthur Holly Compton was completed in 1953, vehicle behaviour for bump geometrics was conducted by the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory who published their findings in 1973. At this time the study was completed with private roads in mind but the benefits of use on public roads was quickly realised.

Today, different designs of speed ramps are used to restrict the speed of vehicles depending on the area in which they are being implemented.

At Gateway Automation we manufacture our speed ramps out of heavy duty recycled PVC and they are available in two different heights - 50mm or 75mm. The different heights are used to dictate the amount of speed reduction. Using our 50mm high speed ramp will reduce a vehicle’s speed to 15-20 mph, whereas the 75mm high speed ramp will encourage speeds of just 5-10 mph. With their yellow markings and contrasting black sections, our speed ramps are designed to provide an early visual warning and are used to calm the traffic in a public area.

These products can be fixed to tarmac or concrete surfaces and come with embedded cats-eyes as standard. Their interlocking system allows you to place multiple 500mm wide ramp sections together to create a speed ramp to your desired width. The textured surface of the speed ramps also prevents slippage when stood on and the 75mm high version features a centre cable tunnel.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Preventing unwanted vehicle access
• Controlling pedestrian traffic

Job Vacancy: Skilled & Semi Skilled Gate & Barrier Engineers

Due to continued expansion an opportunity has arisen for SKILLED & SEMI SKILLED gate & barrier engineers to join Gateway Automation Ltd.

You must have previous knowledge and experience of Gate Automation systems and Access Control systems. Experience of Welding would be beneficial. You will be involved in installations of new systems, retrofit and fault finding so experience is essential.

Job Overview
This field based role will be a demanding role, working under pressure and to strict deadlines. You will have the responsibility of installing new Gate Automation Systems or undertaking the maintenance of existing systems, working individually or as part of a team as required. Fluent English both spoken and written is a must as you will be dealing with residents and customers and delivering detailed and accurate reports to the Office.

An ideal Service and Installation Engineer will hold the following skills and experiences:

* Must have previous experience within the Gate & Barrier industry 
* Valid UK Driving License.
* Knowledge of Door Entry Systems / Access Control Panels / Door Automation systems would be beneficial.
* Fluent English spoken and written is a must.
* Live within 30 miles from our office (LN6 post code)
* Have good knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety aspects related to any gate/ door automation
* Act responsibly and with necessary care for himself, the property of others and his team

Salary is negotiable depending on your experience.

The working hours will be 42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00. Overtime will be available.

You will also be provided with a company vehicle, fuel card, mobile phone, uniform, Health and Safety training, in-house training on company products and 28 days paid holiday inc bank holidays.

To apply please email your CV to alexi@gatewayautomation.co.uk or call Alex Indans for an informal chat 01522 682255.

The benefits of access control equipment

Protecting staff and your property should be a key concern for all businesses, whether small, medium or large, and therefore it is important to consider security measures. If your business premises are currently only secured with locks and keys for the doors, it is likely that your doors are not secure throughout the working day. This common scenario increases the chance of an opportunist robbery.

To control premises security more effectively, access control equipment can protect both your buildings and your assets. There are a wide variety of access security systems available, for example push button access controls, biometric fingerprint readers, keypads and proximity devices. Each system provides a different level of security and additions can be easily made in the future to meet your business requirements.

Biometric fingerprint readers are arguably one of the most secure access control systems available. This is largely because the person requesting access has to present their finger-tip to be authorised. The biometric fingerprint system dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorised access because it removes the need to memorise a password and eliminates the chance of theft or loss of access cards/fobs.

Proximity Cards are commonly used in universities, colleges and car parks. They are used in the same way as contact smart cards but can increase the level of speed and convenience of use because they are contactless. These cards are becoming increasingly popular for both physical and logical access control applications. Logical access controls are used in IT to grant access to users and physical access control equipment would typically involve a mechanical lock and key system.

At Gateway Automation Ltd, we have looked at how to further strengthen our range of high quality, low cost equipment with access control equipment. We have developed a range of access control equipment to suit ranging from key pads and push buttons to video intercoms and fingerprint recognition systems.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Crime against business premises

Preventing unwanted vehicle access

Installing an automatic rising bollard, kerb or road blocker provides an effective solution for preventing unwanted vehicle access. These vehicle security measures can be used in both manned and unmanned vehicle access points and are an effective deterrent against the most determined intruder. There is a choice of vehicle prevention systems available, depending on the level of security required.



During your decision process, it is important to consider the kind of vehicles that might require access to your site as this will predetermine the type and the size of the automatic obstacle needed.

Automatic BollardsBollards are a simple but effective solution for dealing with lower security risks. Our GA7276H automatic bollards have been built for optimum performance and intensively tested to ensure reliability for over 3000 movements per day. In the event of an emergency or power failure they can be lowered manually and 4 bollards can be operated simultaneously by a CDS dedicated control unit. Additional features include LED lights as a visual alert, built-in audible warning signal and an obstacle detection censor which stops the bollard being raised if an object is detected above.

Rising KerbAutomatic rising kerbs are built for strength and reliability. Manufactured from welded rectangular hollow section frame and chequered top plate, our GA8000 Automatic Rising Kerb is available in widths of 2.0 to 5.0 metres and three heights to suit cars, vans and HGVs. For the smooth raising and lowering of this rising kerb an advanced hydraulic power pack is used and is programmable through a state of the art logic controller. Using this technology ensures minimal maintenance and a reliable longevity.

Road BlockerIf your site requires a higher level of security because of the threat of potential terrorist attacks you should consider installing a road blocker. Choosing a road blocker which has been successfully crash tested is a vital consideration when selecting a product. Our GA10000 Shallow-Mounted Road Blocker received a 100% pass rate and a “0” penetration when tested at Mira (Motor Industry Research Association) and was still functioning after impact. When fully raised, the height of this road blocker is a formidable 1050mm which is operated by a hydraulic 7.5kw power pack and the controls are designed to accommodate all types of access control.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Related articles:

• Choosing gate security for your premises
• Crime against business premises

Controlling pedestrian traffic

Regulating and controlling foot flow through entrance and exit points can be managed by a turnstile system. This effective pedestrian-managed solution also cuts down on the need for manned monitoring.

So which turnstile system would be suitable for your site? There is a choice of systems available, depending on the level of security required. Here we give you an overview of our turnstile range and the application suited.

Full height turnstiles
Full height turnstiles can be fitted into a perimeter security system, which can be effective for creating staff checkpoints as well as managing pedestrian traffic. Suited for external use, full height turnstiles are used within industrial and commercial properties, and can also be found at amusements and sporting facilities.

Half height turnstiles
Half height turnstiles, also known as waist-height turnstiles, are an effective solution for controlling pedestrian traffic in public areas. Turnstiles can be configured to work with limited space to guide visitors or employees in the correct direction, in addition to protecting secured areas.

Half height turnstiles are an ideal solution for offices, libraries and leisure facilities, and can be controlled using a range of methods incorporating existing access controlled areas, as well as monitoring staff and visitor movements.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises to assess your security requirements, contact us here.

Related articles:

• Choosing gate security for your premises
• Crime against business premises

Job Vacancy: Skilled & Semi Skilled Gate & Barrier Engineers

Due to continued expansion an opportunity has arisen for SKILLED & SEMI SKILLED gate & barrier engineers to join Gateway Automation Ltd.

You must have previous knowledge and experience of Gate Automation systems and Access Control systems. Experience of Welding would be beneficial. You will be involved in installations of new systems, retrofit and fault finding so experience is essential.

Job Overview
This field based role will be a demanding role, working under pressure and to strict deadlines. You will have the responsibility of installing new Gate Automation Systems or undertaking the maintenance of existing systems, working individually or as part of a team as required. Fluent English both spoken and written is a must as you will be dealing with residents and customers and delivering detailed and accurate reports to the Office.

An ideal Service and Installation Engineer will hold the following skills and experiences:

* Must have previous experience within the Gate & Barrier industry 
* Valid UK Driving License.
* Knowledge of Door Entry Systems / Access Control Panels / Door Automation systems would be beneficial.
* Fluent English spoken and written is a must.
* Live within 30 miles from our office (LN6 post code)
* Have good knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety aspects related to any gate/ door automation
* Act responsibly and with necessary care for himself, the property of others and his team

Salary is negotiable depending on your experience.

The working hours will be 42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00. Overtime will be available.

You will also be provided with a company vehicle, fuel card, mobile phone, uniform, Health and Safety training, in-house training on company products and 28 days paid holiday inc bank holidays.

To apply please email your CV to alexi@gatewayautomation.co.uk or call Alex Indans for an informal chat 01522 682255.