Joe DownsCEO & Co-Founder, Belrose Storage Group. Founder, Storage Moguls.

The three tiers of gate access, from floor to gold standard

2 May 2026 · 1 min

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0:38

In this brief presentation, the speaker outlines three levels of gate access technology, comparing their usability especially for large commercial vehicles. The first tier is a basic keypad system, which requires drivers to stop, exit or roll down a window, and manually enter a code—an awkward process for a 40‑foot Class A truck with a tow. The second tier uses proximity cards or fobs; drivers simply tap a reader as they approach, eliminating the need to stop and providing a smoother experience. The third and current "gold standard" is Bluetooth app‑based access, which offers the most seamless, hands‑free entry, representing the most advanced user experience for gate control.

Chapters

Let's walk the 3 tiers here. The keypad, that's your floor, not the standard. It works, it's reliable, but it requires the tenant to stop the vehicle, get out or roll down the window, punch in a code and wait. When you're driving a 40-foot Class A pulling a tow vehicle, that's an awkward maneuver every single time. Proximity cards and fobs set it up meaningfully or step it up meaningfully. The tenant approaches the gate and taps the reader. No stopping, no code. That's nice, but a much smoother experience, especially for larger, larger vehicles. The gold standard right now is the Bluetooth app-based access.