Automatic barriers have become a common sight at the entrances and exits of public and private car parks all over the UK. While most people are probably aware of the fact that automatic rising arm barriers are used to manage both vehicle access and the flow of traffic, how many of us actually know how they work?
These types of technology, while appearing relatively simple to operate, are actually quite complex pieces of equipment that provide smooth and secure access control for public and private spaces. No matter whether you are looking to manage traffic flow in and out of an office complex, residential development or a public car park, automatic rising barriers can play a key role. In this blog post, we’ll not only look at the different types of automatic rising arm barriers but also how they work, where you will usually find them, and the many benefits they offer.
Types of Automatic Rising Arm Barriers
If you are considering installing automatic barriers at the entrance to your car park, there are several different options open to you. This allows you to choose the option that best meets the specific needs of your particular premises. Some of the most common types of automatic barrier include:
Boom Barriers
This is probably what most people think of when talking about automatic rising arm barriers. A boom barrier is a horizontal arm that lifts up to allow authorised vehicles to enter and exit your car park then lowers to block access. Ease of operation and durability mean that these barriers are usually the preferred choice in areas that experience high volumes of traffic.
Swing Arm Barriers
Just like a boom barrier, a swing arm barrier utilises a pivoting arm the difference being that rather than lifting vertically, the barrier opens horizontally. Much less commonplace than boom barriers they tend to be found in car parks with height restrictions.
Sliding Gates
Sliding gates, while slightly more complicated, are a great choice for areas that need a higher level of security. Rather than using a simple arm, this type of barrier has a gate that slides open and closed. They offer businesses an additional layer of security, as they can block access more effectively than boom or swing arm barriers.
All these barriers operate automatically, usually triggered by sensors, keypads, RFID tags, or remote controls, making them efficient and convenient to use.
What Are Automatic Rising Arm Barriers Used For?
Automatic rising arm barriers can serve a number of different purposes which include:

- Traffic Management: If you have a busy public car park that has a limited amount of space, automatic barriers will help control the flow of traffic. This in turn helps to prevent congestion and allows vehicles to enter and exit the car park quickly and in an orderly fashion.
- Security: Car park barriers play an important part in ensuring your premises remain secure. The fact you can control access to restricted areas to authorised vehicles will make your premises much more secure. This is particularly important for not only residential properties but also office complexes and industrial facilities.
- The Collection of Parking Charges: Automatic barriers are regularly used on the entrances and exits of pay-and-display or ticket-based car parks, where they work alongside payment machines to only allow exit on payment of the correct fee. This is a system that is often used in shopping centres, airports, and city centre car parks.
- Parking Enforcement: In areas where parking is restricted to certain users (such as permit holders), automatic barriers ensure that only authorised vehicles can enter.
Where Might You Find Automatic Rising Arm Barriers?
The versatility of automatic rising arm barriers means they can be found in lots of different locations. The kind of places where you might find automatic barriers include:
- Commercial Premises: Places such as large office complexes or business parks often use automatic barriers as a way of limiting access to authorised personnel only. These barriers not only keep your premises more secure but also help ensure parking spaces are always available for staff and visitors who are allowed to use them.
- Residential Complexes: For anyone living in an apartment block or a gated community, automatic rising arm barriers enhance security by restricting access to residents and other authorised personnel.
- Public Car Parks: Automatic barriers are often found in car parks in shopping centres, stadiums, airports, and city centres where they are the perfect solution for controlling the flow of traffic helping improve the parking experience. The knock on effect of this is that motorists will continue to use the car park ensuring that you maximise revenue.
- Hospitals and Schools: A lot of hospitals and schools now use automatic barriers to help manage parking for staff, students, and visitors. These systems help control access and ensure that parking spaces are available for those who need them most.
- Industrial Sites: For high-security industrial sites or warehouses, automatic barriers prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering the premises, often integrated with other security measures such as CCTV and access control systems.
What Are the Benefits of Automatic Rising Arm Barriers?
When you install automatic rising arm barriers you will benefit in a number of different ways. Whether you need access control for a small private car park or a large commercial facility like a hotel, there are clear advantages to fitting automatic barriers.
- Improved Security: Automatic barriers control the entrance to your premises ensuring that the only vehicles that get in are the ones you want to. This significantly reduces the risk of theft, vandalism, or other security breaches, making your car park safer, for staff, visitors, and vehicles.
- Cost Efficiency: Automatic rising arm barriers, especially when combined with ANPR cameras, remove the need for security staff to monitor entrances and exits. After the initial outlay this can lead to a significant cost saving for your business.
- Ease of Use: When you install an automated system, it makes vehicle access smooth and efficient. Whether your system is a simple keypad system or uses more advanced technology such as automatic number plate recognition, users can pass through barriers quickly without the need for manual intervention.
- Reduced Congestion: By managing the flow of vehicles in and out of a space, automatic barriers help to prevent bottlenecks, ensuring that traffic moves efficiently, especially during peak times.
- Versatile Control Options: Automatic barriers can also be used in conjunction with other access control systems such as proximity sensors, automatic number plate recognition, remote controls and intercom systems. The flexibility of automatic barriers make them suitable for use on a wide range of premises.
Security Solutions Provides High-Quality Automatic Rising Arm Barriers
At Security Solutions, we specialise in the provision of high-quality access solutions such as automatic rising arm barriers. Whether you want to secure a commercial property, manage traffic in a public car park, or enhance security at a residential complex, our team has the expertise to help. We offer a wide range of barrier systems, from boom barriers to sliding gates, all designed to offer reliable, long-lasting performance.
Our barriers are built to the highest standards and can be integrated with existing security systems to provide you with a comprehensive solution. With Security Solutions, you can trust that your car park barrier system will be efficient, secure, and tailored to your specific needs.
To get more information on our comprehensive range of automatic rising arm barriers, or to get a quote, contact the team here at Security Solutions today. Let us help you enhance the security and efficiency of your car park with our state-of-the-art barrier systems.