Comparing Barcode Readers to Other Vehicle Identification Systems

Access Control systems exist to control who is allowed to enter a door or gate. Before opening a vehicle gate, the Access Control system must first identify the vehicle to determine if it should be allowed in. Keypads, swipe cards, transmitters, prox cards, and barcodes can all be used to identify the vehicle that is entering, but which technology is the right one? The following discussion is a basic comparison of how these devices operate along with some pros and cons for each technology.

First, these different technologies can be separated into two basic groups, Manual Vehicle Identification and Automatic Vehicle Identification.  

Manual Vehicle Identification

In this category the driver of the vehicle is required to perform some physical action that identifies the vehicle to the Access Control system.

Keypads  require a driver to stop, roll down a window and enter an access code on a pad. These systems are inconvenient when it is raining or snowing and easily compromised by people giving out security codes to friends, relatives, vendors, etc. Also, vehicle traffic will back up at a gate since it takes around 30 to 60 seconds per vehicle to key in the entry code.

Swipe Cards  also require a driver to stop, roll down the window and swipe a card through a slot.  These are also inconvenient when it is raining or snowing. Swipe cards are easily lost and can be loaned to friends and relatives. New technology also makes it easy to create duplicate swipe cards and give them to family and friends. As with keypads, vehicle traffic will back up at the gate since it takes around 15 to 30 seconds per vehicle to swipe the card.

Access Control Transmitters  (or "remote clickers" ) are physically similar to garage door openers. To open the gate, the driver presses a button on the unit. The advantage here is that most systems have a long range, so the gate can be opened while the vehicle is far off and traffic does not back up. However, the transmitters cost between $15 - $35 each, are relatively easy to lose and can also be loaned to friends or family. Duplicate transmitters are easy to acquire, and batteries will have to be replaced periodically.

Automatic Vehicle Identification

When using equipment in this category the vehicle driver does not have to do anything special for the access system to operate.  As the vehicle approaches the gate it is identified automatically, with no action from the driver. These are known as "hands free" systems.

Prox Cards  (or RF-ID Tags) are miniature radio tags attached to the vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the gate, a radio signal is used to read the vehicle ID tag. The main disadvantages of this system are the cost of the tags and problems reading due to radio frequency interference. Prox cards are designed to mount inside most vehicles, but some luxury models actually block the radio signal and require the tag to be mounted outside the vehicle.  

Barcode Readers  use barcode ID decals on the vehicle for identification. As vehicles pass the barcode reader it detects the decal and reads the ID code which identifies the vehicle. Vehicles can move past the BAI reader at a distance of up to six feet traveling at up to 25 mph.  For use on larger vehicles, such as big rigs or delivery trucks, special decals are available with a range of up to 12 feet.

Points To Consider

Barcode systems are not affected by many of the problems experienced by RF-ID systems, such as radio interference or low battery life. Many RF-ID tags are portable and can be lost or loaned to friends or relatives. Once properly attached to the vehicle window barcode decals will not be lost or loaned unless the entire vehicle is lost or loaned.

Despite many rumors stating that barcodes can be easily copied, BAI readers absolutely will not read photocopies or photographs of barcodes.

BAI barcode decals come in 56 different colors, which is useful for color coordinating or color coded parking areas, etc. For a less obvious look our black-on-black decal is very popular.

New System Costs

When considering a vehicle identification system there can be a large difference in the initial cost of the system depending on what equipment is used. For the comparison shown here we are using a hands-free RF-ID system that closely matches the capabilities of the BAI Barcode Reader. With this in mind, here is an example of a new site installation for 1000 vehicles and two gated entrances. Prices shown are approximate based on manufacturer MSRP.

At first glance the RF-ID system costs twice that of the barcode readers, a very dramatic cost difference in today's economy.

Note that for the barcode reader system the majority of the cost is for the BAI Barcode Readers. Once installed, these readers are expected to operate continually during the life of the system and represent an investment in capital equipment rather than disposable items. The decal cost represents disposable items - when decals are removed from vehicles or replaced they will be discarded.

In the RF-ID system these costs are reversed. The RF-ID readers represent a very small part of the system cost, while the disposable RF-ID tags make up the majority of the price.

Ongoing System Maintenance and Replacement Costs

Installation cost is just the beginning of the expenses involved, ongoing maintenance costs are also important.  As people utilize the access control system there will be lost RF tags and damaged barcode decals that must be replaced.  While we cannot predict exactly how many decals will be replaced over a 5 year period it would be safe to assume that 30% of the barcode decals will need to be replaced as people sell or trade in their old vehicles for new ones:

With the RF-ID tags the replacement cost is influenced by how long the internal battery will last. Some RF-ID tags are rated for 3 year battery life, while others are rated for 5 years.

If you were using the 3 year RF-ID tags you would have to buy new tags for everyone by the 5 year mark, so we will include the 5 year rated tags in our comparison. As with the barcode system, we assume that 30% of the 5 year tags will need replacement during the first 5 years the system operates.

As this comparison shows, the barcode system will have significantly lower installation and maintenance costs. As time passes, costs for the barcode system will remain far below that of the RF-ID system due to the expense of the RF-ID tags.

These costs are intended for equipment purchase comparison only and do not address all of the costs involved in a site installation. Consult a systems integrator for a system cost estimate.