Boom Barrier vs Full Height Turnstile
Vehicle access control vs maximum pedestrian security — understanding when each solution is right for UAE facilities.
Boom barriers and full height turnstiles are both used at perimeter entry points across UAE facilities, but they solve fundamentally different problems. Boom barriers control vehicle access to car parks, residential compounds, and logistics facilities with arms spanning 3–6 metres. Full height turnstiles control pedestrian access with the highest level of security — preventing climbing or unauthorised bypass. Many UAE facilities use both in combination: a boom barrier for vehicles and full height turnstiles for the adjacent pedestrian gate.
Product Overview
Automatic Boom Barrier
- 3–6 m arm span controls full vehicle lane width in any car park or compound
- Sub-second rise time — 600+ vehicles/hour for busy compound entrances
- Integrates with LPR cameras and RFID for fully automated vehicle access
- Lower cost than a full height turnstile — wide UAE deployment for car parks
Full Height Turnstile
- 2,000 mm height — physically impossible for a person to climb over
- IP55 outdoor rated — ideal for JAFZA perimeter, power plants, and secure sites
- Complete pedestrian lane control — no unauthorised bypass
- Integrates with the same RFID and biometric systems as indoor turnstiles
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Automatic Boom Barrier | Full Height Turnstile |
|---|---|---|
| Access Type | Vehicle access control | Pedestrian access control |
| Arm / Height | 3–6 m arm span | 2,000 mm full body height |
| Throughput | 600+ vehicles/hour (0.6s rise time) | 15–20 persons/min |
| Price Range (AED) | AED 2,000–7,000 per unit | AED 5,000–12,000 per unit |
| Weather Rating | IP54 — outdoor car park | IP55 — full outdoor |
| Integration | RFID, LPR cameras, loop detectors | Wiegand 26/34, RS485, biometric |
| Anti-crash | Safety loop detector standard | Not applicable — pedestrian |
| Power Failure | Arm rises (fail-open) or stays (configurable) | Rotation unlocks or stays (configurable) |
| Use Together | Yes — install side by side at compound entry | Yes — pedestrian gate alongside boom |
| Ideal For | Car parks, compounds, logistics, drive-throughs | JAFZA, power plants, prisons, perimeter |
Pros & Cons
Automatic Boom Barrier
- 3–6 m arm span controls full vehicle lane width in any car park or compound
- Sub-second rise time — 600+ vehicles/hour for busy compound entrances
- Integrates with LPR cameras and RFID for fully automated vehicle access
- Lower cost than a full height turnstile — wide UAE deployment for car parks
- Does not prevent pedestrian bypass — people can walk around or under the arm
- Arm can be broken by vehicles that fail to stop — requires anti-crash measures
Full Height Turnstile
- 2,000 mm height — physically impossible for a person to climb over
- IP55 outdoor rated — ideal for JAFZA perimeter, power plants, and secure sites
- Complete pedestrian lane control — no unauthorised bypass
- Integrates with the same RFID and biometric systems as indoor turnstiles
- Pedestrian only — cannot control vehicle access
- Higher unit cost and larger footprint than a tripod turnstile
Our Recommendation
Which Should You Choose?
Boom barriers and full height turnstiles are complementary, not competing, products. Most UAE secure facilities — residential compounds, logistics parks, free zones, and data centres — use boom barriers at the vehicle gate and full height turnstiles at the adjacent pedestrian gate. If you need vehicle access control only, a boom barrier is the correct product. If you need pedestrian perimeter security to the highest standard, a full height turnstile is required. WhatsApp LOKIZ to discuss the right combination for your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a boom barrier also control pedestrian access?
What arm length boom barrier do I need for my UAE car park?
Do LOKIZ boom barriers work with LPR (licence plate recognition) cameras?
How long does it take to install a boom barrier in Dubai?
Still Not Sure Which to Choose?
WhatsApp us with your facility type — we'll recommend the right product and send a same-day quote from our Dubai warehouse.
WhatsApp LOKIZ: +971 50 202 5767