agree

Totally agree. Time for a change.

Gates!
 

The gates could be controlled just like tolls instead of a sunpass you would have a village pass located in the windshield. If it is just used to take a picture of your vehicle this would be more economical as I have seen more gates torn down!

Agree, especially when the driver in front of you has dropped the transponder and has difficulty retrieving it. They hold up the works. Wish there was a better way.

Gates
 

Did anybody stop and think that the gates are always down because I assume that some people just crash right through them. So what good are they ?

I think they make gate arms that do not break off when hit, but flex back. I don't understand why they don't use that type. Seems like it would save money.

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Pin numbers, passwords, etc. are often forgotten. I agree that this is not a “gated” community and gates serve no purpose except to slow down traffic.

Guess the developers did make life easier for you and others. Otherwise you'd be in a trailer/mobile home park or Top of the World, right?

I believe the card is an RFID card, not magnetic. So there is some security to it. Would a bar code reader be nice? or a transponder like the turnpike? Sure. It would be a greater cost which you KNOW will get passed on to us

I completely agree.....it’s a no brainer .....come on let’s update this thing

IMHO, the only positive aspect of the existing gate pass system is the optics of being able to advertise that The Villages is a “gated community.” Anyone can press a red button or closely follow others through the gates without a card. Existing gates only serve to slow traffic, potentially creating bottlenecks and major difficulties for the disabled and motorcyclists. If we are serious about limiting access, the gate systems must be more robust, without button entry and with penalties (perhaps from license photos) for illegal entry.

Bar Codes
 

Wouldn’t it be nice NOT to have to fumble around for your gate card that fell to the car floor? Wouldn’t it be nice NOT to have to roll down your window when coming and going? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a bar code reader scan the decal on your car and automatically lift the gate? One can wish...

Agreed 100%

Switching to automatic mode would also be an operational cost reduction eliminating the need to manage and issue cards.

License Plate Readers?
 

Could license plate readers be used to open the gates? The existing cards could still be used for golf carts, new arrivals, etc.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but when you go through a gate your license plate is photographed. The police have used this info to solve burglaries in the past. I can remember a few times when appliances were stolen out of new homes in Pine Ridge and Pine Hills they were able to track down the thieves.

Great idea. Save your door window motor and you don't have to get wet when raining

I totally agree. Why can't we have stickers on our cars instead of trying to remember a card? We have three cars, so I don't keep my card in the car. It's usually in my purse, which means I have to dig to find it. Sometimes my purse is in the back seat and I have to reach to get it. What a pain that can be avoided with a simple change!!!!

My card works at all gates from inside the car as long as you are close enough to the reader. Watch out for your mirror! Maybe the cards could be made with a stronger signal and those residents who wish to have one to use inside their car could purchase it for a small fee.

gate pass
 

:spoken:I agree , a sticker on car and cart would be a great convenience.

Ours works from inside a closed window with no problem, with all but about two gates. You just need to pull a little closer, hold the card for a full second or two without moving and at the same level of grey pad. Usually you can see the little light blink when it registers.

How do you keep your clothing and interior dry when you have to open the whole door at the club, store, restaurant, etc?

I have a card reader from Tamper that works on the villages gates. so much for security.They should have a reader like the Highways have that can read you at 65mph
get with the times.I am sure there is something that can be done to avoid wearing out our window motors.What does the Fire Dept use to open the gates, that's a long reach from a fire truck cab.Come on The Villages spend some of your profits.There I am done.

Before moving to the Villages, we lived in Cape Coral Florida and you had to go over a bridge to get into Cape Coral. We had to buy a transponder to stick to the inside front window behind rear view mirror and pay in advance to go through. It was very handy, no opening the window when it was HOT or Raining. Basically it was a Sun Pass. I think that would be a great thing for the villages.

Keep the card or something similar. Not everyone has a vehicle or can drive and must rely on others to take them places or family members that won't have barcodes on their cars or things linked their cars. Not everyone has cars that link up to their homes. What about the golf cart Gates? You can't drive your car through there you have to have something to get through the gates! I think it would become too inconvenient for a lot of people.

Why is this topic on again as new. It was the same posts several weeks ago.

Excellent suggestion. A presently constituted we have no security save this illusionary symbol.

You'll always get the same threads week after week here. Gates, dog poop, poor drivers, roundabouts, costco etc. That's the way it is. It's also weird how suddenly 4 or 5 posts in a row from users with only 1 or 2 posts posted minutes apart suddenly appear in some threads.

But to keep on topic I agree 100% with some sort of "minimal technology upgrade" to the gate system just to make it a bit more CONVENIENT to use. Waving it through a closed window does often work but cars behind get very impatient when it sometimes takes 5 seconds to "connect" with the card reader. I guess the answer (when available) is to use the manned(womaned) "visitor" side where no card is needed and to keep the gate people busy. :D

When did the districts start making a profit?

Gate Passes
 

In 21 years, I have never had a problem actuating the gate arm by holding the plastic card up to my unopened window. I do agree that the system could use an update and window or car sticker might be an option.

Gates
 

I do not always appreciate it when there is a long line to get through the gates for residents but guests breeze through the open guest gate. Does that make any sense?

You don't even have to roll down your window. If you get close enough, the card works through the glass. I have never had to roll down my window.

We don’t think the gates provide any security, the cameras are there for that reason. Take the gates down.
If not inputting that code into our garage door opener is a good idea

Ohiobuckeye
 

I had a gate card that we got in 2012 that wouldn’t open the cart gate in Orange Blossom just over the cart bridge, that takes you to Lowe’s. But it would open all the gates in TV.

None!!

The fact is there is no consistency in the "sensitivity" of the gates, so individual results will vary. Some gates will read your card through the window, which also depends apparently on different models/windows. Some don't work no matter how close you get. Have had several different vehicles since 2003 and the only gate that consistently worked was Springdale. Some gates, especially south of 466, you have to hold the card literally within 6 inches of the reader and that's with arm out the open window. You would be scraping your mirror to get that close with window closed. I have witnessed people holding their card with arm completely extended and not reach close enough to trigger the release. You have to be pretty close to it. Heaven forbid the card slips through your fingers and lands outside the vehicle. You wouldn't able to even open the door to retrieve it, as you have to be so damn close. I'm sure many of us as seen that happen numerous times. For the lucky few who never have to roll down their window, I'm happy for you.
Getting soaked only 3 times a year at the gates, wow, that would be a miracle. They must never leave the house or not live here during the summer. Fact: it rains here; a lot, heavily, often. Odds of getting caught in rain at the gates if you are out and about a lot are more like 300 times a year. Fact: only certain gates have a guard, many do not. Back when TV was much smaller, they used to leave ALL gates UP during thunderstorms and pouring rain.
Personally, I could not care any less if my arm gets wet. What is more concerning is that by the time the window rolls completely down, the box finally reads the card and the window rolls back up, the inside of your door, WHERE ALL THE SWITCHES AND ELECTRONICS for your doors, windows and mirrors, etc. are sitting, gets drenched. Should not have to constantly carry towels to dry off the insides of your cars.
I realize this is all to regulate traffic, but IMHO, this system kind of sucks and there has to be better and easier methods out there. The subject is a common pet peeve for many residents. Have a peaceful and stress free day!

Gate passes.
 

A decal on a windshield or golf cart would be more efficient.

Just came back from beach in St Pete for the weekend, had to roll down my window coming back into TV and got a sunburn from the bright sun. Not sure which is worse the wet arm or the sunburn!!!! I know I am being snarky but is this the best issue that we have in TV that we need 16 pages worth of discussion. This seems to be an issue something like the dreaded Rec News. Said then and will say it again, if it is so easy, so cheap and so many villagers give a rats pattuty about it, get together and present it to a company to submit a plan to the CDD's and get er done. Oh yeah have money to finance it!!

Leave the house 10 minutes earlier...………………...:)

Nothing prevents you from going through the visitor gate.