Gate Passes like Sun Pass or EZ Pass

[theorem painter]

This morning as I was driving around in the pouring rain, getting soaked every time I had to open my window to go thru a gate, I wondered what a perfect world it would be to have the gate pass function like a Sun Pass or EZ Pass mounted on your windshield. If only dreams could come true......

[Bogie Shooter]

This morning as I was driving around in the pouring rain, getting soaked every time I had to open my window to go thru a gate, I wondered what a perfect world it would be to have the gate pass function like a Sun Pass or EZ Pass mounted on your windshield. If only dreams could come true......

Some dreams can be quite expensive...................:)

[George Bieniaszek]

I agree with the notion of having the gates work like EZ Pass or Sun Pass with a transponder inside your car.

Or better yet, why have a card to swipe at all. Have the gates work as is, but activate automatically when a car approaches. The Villages is a "gated community" in name only so why don't we just keep the gates to slow up car/truck traffic and give the golf carts a chance to cross safely.

[784caroline]

There are alot of comunities that have the transponder concept in place and it works very well. Yes it would be an added expense but do you realzie that the personnel manning the gates cost the community (you and I) over $1 Million EVERY YEAR.

[DonH57]

Some gate attendants I've seen especially at our neighborhood gate have been kind enough to lift the gate for us. I've sometimes been able to wave the card at the window and get it to lift. Quite a few attendants never fail to wave either.

[TheVillageChicken]

This morning as I was driving around in the pouring rain, getting soaked every time I had to open my window to go thru a gate, I wondered what a perfect world it would be to have the gate pass function like a Sun Pass or EZ Pass mounted on your windshield. If only dreams could come true......

I can pull up to the sensor, hold my card against the window and presto...the gate opens.

[SIRE1]

I agree with George Bieniaszek, why have to use a gate card anyway.

In previous threads, The Villages repeatedly indicated that the gates were "Just to slow traffic" and not as a security measure. That position is reinforced by the fact that all the gates have a button to allow entry whether you have a gate card or not. To comply with their position that the gates are to slow traffic, why not have an additional sensor installed that opens the gate when you ENTER the village. The same as the sensor that opens the gate when you LEAVE the village.

That would do away with having to stick your hand out the window in the rain, reduce costs to issue new and replace lost gate cards, and prevent wear & tear on power window units in the car.

Just a thought . . . .

[NoMoSno]

I can pull up to the sensor, hold my card against the window and presto...the gate opens.

Same here...

[BogeyBoy]

When we lived in Naples we were in a real gated community. We had a barcode sticker in our passenger side rear window, as we approached the gate it got scanned and the gate opened. When anyone moved their sticker got deactivated. Never got wet!

[Jullie]

I agree, something needs to be changed.

[Ooper]

I can pull up to the sensor, hold my card against the window and presto...the gate opens.

I agree! I very rarely lower my window. The only time I lower the window is if the sensor is located lower than my window. You do need to get within about 18" or so but that's not a problem.

[raynitsche]

I like the attendant. You can't be the friendliest community without
Receiving your daily "have a nice day". Though I realize there are many
who have no desire to be friendly.

[CFrance]

I agree with the notion of having the gates work like EZ Pass or Sun Pass with a transponder inside your car.

Or better yet, why have a card to swipe at all. Have the gates work as is, but activate automatically when a car approaches. The Villages is a "gated community" in name only so why don't we just keep the gates to slow up car/truck traffic and give the golf carts a chance to cross safely.
I'll go for that. They are camera-monitored to begin with, so there is no added security to having to use a pass.

[MikeV]

When it is raining I use the Visitor side and let the gate attendant open the gate for me. Also when I ride my motorcycle the gate attendant will most times open the gate for me as I approach so I don't have to stop and put my bike in neutral to wave my card. Much appreciated. Of course this only works when there is a gate attendant.

[justjim]

When build-out occurs, I think you will see a change not only in the gates but other ways that might save money.

[rubicon]

Sunpass EZ pass are good because traffic does not need to be separated . whereas at the man gates we have a resident side and a visitors side. Thse are public roads and so if you issue residents of TV Sunpasses then what would ou do with nonresidents that use these gates daily

[billethkid]

how much more are you willing to pay each month in amenity fees to have Sunpass gates here in TV?

Me? Absolutely nothing. I agree with a prior post, just set the gate on auto, do away with the push buttons, enter via any lane and throw the cards away!

No deterioration in the faux security and a significant drop in mainteneace costs.

[SusanOfWoodbury]

ok ok enough!!!!!

The people who planned and built this place did a great job...... I bet there are many things each and everyone of us would like change, but, we moved here because we liked it...

the gates work when we use them properly.. The gate people help in any way they can....

Why not enjoy living here and stop posting things that YOU THINK needs to be changed... Do not like it here, than move..

[perrjojo]

If you stop at the sensor and wait 30 seconds, the gate will open automatically. I know..I know, it slows traffic but you don't get wet.

[ettojr]

Don't open the window.

Pull up close like at an ATM, wave your card, gate opens.

Yep, I'm just that lazy!

[Shimpy]

The last community I lived in, Boynton Beach Fl., had a unit that worked like sunpass .........when it worked. Problem was it was hit or miss. There was times when I couldn't get in the gate and have to go to another gate that maybe would work. When I moved here I was amazed at the reliability of our gates. There was a post quite a long time ago here about how often car window openers had to be repaired for those living in gated communities. They weren't designed to be opened and closed that many times and are very expensive to fix.

[rhood]

When we lived in Naples we were in a real gated community. We had a barcode sticker in our passenger side rear window, as we approached the gate it got scanned and the gate opened. When anyone moved their sticker got deactivated. Never got wet!

Seems like a digital camera and a printer would let anyone duplicate a barcode and stick it on their car?

[bluedog103]

When build-out occurs, I think you will see a change not only in the gates but other ways that might save money.

Unfortunately, I think you're right. When the politicians get control of TV you'll likely see drastic changes. I'll just enjoy what we have while we have it. Waving a card is not a big deal.

[borjo]

Sometimes it works and sometimes not from the inside of the car. I think if they could change the sensitivity of the passes by extending the signal even 6-8" further out, we could do it from our windows without having to almost scrape the curb by getting so close and without opening our windows.

[Don H]

We live in a gated community, Sun Lakes, AZ. We have small stickers on the inside (upper left) of the windshield and they are read by an RF pickup antenna. It is not an optical bar code reader. They work pretty well and seem to keep the traffic moving. It's a bit like the EZ-Pass system. I imagine opening your windows (especially power windows ) all the time can lead to maintenance issues.

[wendyquat]

I have noticed that not ALL gates will open through the windows and not ALL gates will open if you wait 30 seconds. I'm not lazy and it's not getting wet that I mind so much but I am concerned with the maintenance caused by the window being raised and lowered so often. I had one go out once with the window in the down position and it cost over $400 to repair!

[LuckySevens]

Lets all try and remember to post these suggestions the next time The Villages has a survey to fill out.
I think a bar code on the inside of the window would be a perfect solution to rolling down the window, so the gate would automatically just open. I for one find it most annoying to keep rolling down my window, plus it makes me nervous to have to roll down my window coming home late at night when I am alone. I find it a safety issue, and prefer to keep my windows up and doors locked until I get safely in my garage. Just my opinion.

[asianthree]

Lets all try and remember to post these suggestions the next time The Villages has a survey to fill out.
I think a bar code on the inside of the window would be a perfect solution to rolling down the window, so the gate would automatically just open. I for one find it most annoying to keep rolling down my window, plus it makes me nervous to have to roll down my window coming home late at night when I am alone. I find it a safety issue, and prefer to keep my windows up and doors locked until I get safely in my garage. Just my opinion.

Just a question do you really feel that unsafe that you nerd to keep your window up and doors locked

[Bonanza]

Some dreams can be quite expensive...................:)

There isn't anything more expensive than paying salaries for people to man a gate (all of them) day-in and day-out forever, in addition to the expense of maintaining these gates, etc. on streets that are public.

Does anyone have any idea what this costs per annum?

Anyone who thinks these gates are a deterrent is _________. (you fill in the blank.)

[PaPaLarry]

Lets hear from some Gate Keepers, and reasons why we should have Gate Keepers. I know the gate on Morse & 466 heading North, needs one. Without gate keeper there, traffic would be much slower. They do a great job, rotating resident & visitor gates. (Imagine if they weren't there?)

[OCsun]

I agree with George Bieniaszek, why have to use a gate card anyway.

In previous threads, The Villages repeatedly indicated that the gates were "Just to slow traffic" and not as a security measure. That position is reinforced by the fact that all the gates have a button to allow entry whether you have a gate card or not. To comply with their position that the gates are to slow traffic, why not have an additional sensor installed that opens the gate when you ENTER the village. The same as the sensor that opens the gate when you LEAVE the village.

That would do away with having to stick your hand out the window in the rain, reduce costs to issue new and replace lost gate cards, and prevent wear & tear on power window units in the car.

Just a thought . . . .

I like it!!!:clap2:

[Tom Hannon]

I can pull up to the sensor, hold my card against the window and presto...the gate opens.

I will try that next time at the gate. Maybe I should wash my widows first

[Gat0r]

The gates are there for golf cart safety.Not security.

[Bogie Shooter]

This major problem has gone away today.............the sun is shining!

[PaPaLarry]

I will try that next time at the gate. Maybe I should wash my widows first
Widows or windows???????? hehehehehe Just kidd'n

[Ooper]

I have not found a gate that does not open through the window unless the sensor is below the bottom edge of the window and the card cannot be directly across from it. I drive a van and the windows are higher than a normal car with fairly large mirrors sticking out from the sides. Even so, I can still get comfortably close enough for the sensor to pick up the card and there may only be one or two gates where I have to open the window because the sensor is located lower than most. If your gate doesn't open through the window, perhaps you are not close enough or the card is not directly across from the sensor.

[buggyone]

Come on now, folks. How often do you really have to stick your arm outside the window in the rain? :1rotfl: Wear and tear on the power windows? How many times in a normal day do you put the windows up and down? I think cars are built pretty good and we do not have to worry about wearing out the switches, etc.

Anyhow, I have a RAV 4 and have no problem opening the gates without lowering my window. The sensor card works perfectly from inside.

[CFrance]

I think it might depend on what gate as to whether or not the card works through the window. I don't care particularly, but this has been suggested before, and I tried it at the St.James gate when it was first brought up, and it didn't work from inside the window of my 2011 Chrysler 200.

Since it was brought up a second time, I tried it again. Still doesn't work!

I did have to replace two automatic window winders on my XTerra in 5 years (without going though any gates), so I think they can/do wear out.

[festusrules]

I tried the St James gate today. Would not open with card held up to the window. Could they fine tune the sensors?

[Tom Hannon]

I have a Mini Copper which is low. The thru the window thing did not work.