Why many sites still prefer the traditional turnstile with the mechanical arm
Although the use of hand-held scanners to monitor access control is increasing, many sites still prefer the traditional turnstile with the mechanical arm. Traditional turnstiles send positive physical and psychological messages to patrons. In addition, they have positive impact on a site’s security and revenue protection.
* For a patron, passing through a turnstile is a milestone. It is the transition point from being outside the site – outside the event he or she is anticipating – to being on the inside. They separate those at the event from those not at the event. Studies have shown that people generally have a positive reaction to turnstiles in part because of this physical and intangible symbolism.
* Turnstiles make life easier for a site’s security personnel. The single-file, one-at-a-time aspect of traditional turnstiles helps security staff to identify potential concerns. They also result in less unauthorized “slippage” of patrons; traditional turnstiles make it both physically and psychologically harder for someone to attempt to “cheat the system.”
*Turnstiles increase attendance accuracy and protect paid revenue. Mechanical arms are more accurate than hand-held scanners in making sure everyone is counted, and that everyone who enters is indeed authorized to enter. Thus, sites with turnstiles experience fewer of the logistical problems that arise when non-ticketed or unauthorized entrants (who may, intentionally or not, slip by hand-held scanners) end up in seats or spaces belonging to legitimate patrons.
None of this is to suggest that efficient, patron-friendly modern features – such as the reading of bar-coded tickets or passes – clash with the use of traditional turnstiles. To the contrary, many major sports and entertainment facilities feature the best of both worlds – efficient turnstiles which read barcodes and still provide both patrons and facility personnel with the benefits noted above.
Similarly, many sites (such as major sports or concert venues) feature personnel with hand-held barcode readers who are located at turnstiles. The patron is actually going through two “check points” almost simultaneously. Thus the veracity of tickets is assured (as invalid counterfeits will be identified by the scanner), and the usual psychological and security advantages of the turnstiles are intact. And venue management will quickly be alerted to a problem if the barcode reader count and the turnstile count do not match.
Turnstile Arms Earn Money for You
Many facilities have discovered a way to make their purchase of turnstiles pay for itself. By selling the placement of company logos or advertising messages on the arms of your turnstiles, you can recoup your investment in turnstiles quickly and easily. It’s an easy sell, as advertisers like the fact that every patron not only sees, but touches, these turnstile arm covers.
Facilities and teams throughout North America are seeing that their traditional turnstiles can become a whole new revenue stream. For more details on how you can benefit from turnstile advertising with custom made Turnstile AdSleeve Armcovers, visit Entry Media at www.entrymedia.com.
