BUYING GUIDE
The complete guide to choosing an automated barrier.
Your complete and comprehensive guide to selecting the most ideal automated barrier solutions for your next perimeter project or upgrade.
Automated Barriers
Different types and use cases.
Wedge Barrier
Active vehicle barrier with rapid deployment used for high-security perimeter control. When activated, it rises from the ground and forms a wedge shape to block vehicle passage. These barriers are designed to stop vehicles, particularly in scenarios like anti-ram or counter-terrorism applications, and are often found at critical infrastructure sites and high-security facilities. Can be installed in various locations and sits flush with the road surface when not in use.
Common use cases:
Drop Arm
A crash-rated drop arm barrier is a vehicle barrier designed to control and restrict access to secure areas, while also providing protection against vehicle-borne threats. These barriers feature a steel arm that raises and lowers, often vertically, to allow or prevent vehicle passage. They are engineered to withstand impacts from vehicles traveling at specific speeds and weights, earning them crash ratings like K12 or M50..
Common use cases:
Rising Beam
Commonly used for access control and perimeter security in locations requiring high levels of protection. Uses a horizontal beam that rises and lowers to block or allow passage. They effectively block and prevent unauthorized vehicle access, even in deliberate ramming attempts.
Common use cases:
Rising Bollard
Security devices designed to control vehicle access by automatically raising and lowering (retracting) into the ground. They offer a flexible and aesthetically pleasing way to manage traffic in areas where access needs to be controlled, like pedestrian zones, parking lots, and private driveways. These bollards can be operated remotely or integrated with access control systems, and are often preferred over fixed bollards due to their versatility.
Common use cases:
Net Barrier
A crash-rated net barrier is a type of vehicle barrier that uses a reinforced net to stop or slow down vehicles, minimizing the impact and potential damage to both the vehicle and the barrier. Less fatal crash-rated barrier than others.
Common use cases:
Gate Arm
A gate arm barrier is a low security type of vehicle barrier that uses a pivoting arm to control access. It's a common sight in parking lots, toll booths, and other areas where vehicles need to be managed. These barriers are designed to be raised and lowered, either manually or automatically, to allow or block vehicle passage
Common use cases:
• Parking Structures
• Loading docks
• Toll booths
AUTOMATED BARRIERS - BEFORE YOU BUY
Critical questions to answer first.
How quick will your barrier need to rise and lower?
Most automated barriers operation time to raise or lower is anywhere from 3 to 8 seconds. Barriers like the wedge barrier, rising bollard, and net barrier has Emergency Fast Operation (EFO) and are capable of deploying in under 2 seconds.
Do you have construction limitations?
Different types of barriers have different excavation requirements. Generally, bollards require deep excavation and drainage, rising beams and net barriers need long and narrow excavation with shallow drainage, and wedge barriers need broad, shallow excavation with drainage. If you have excavation limitations, most of our automated barriers have shallow mount installation and still offer crash-protection.
Will your security barriers be visible when not in use?
If you want your security barriers to stay hidden, wedge barriers, rising bollards, and net barriers sit flush with the road when not in use. Automated barriers like drop arm and gate arms are always highly visible, even when they’re not being used.
Are you integrating access control systems?
All of our automated barriers can be integrated with access control systems, as long as the necessary wiring, power, and clearance requirements have been met before the automated barrier installation.
What type of protection are you needing?
If you’re looking for lighter security barriers, Gate Arms are a great option for managing vehicle access. If you’re looking for something more high security with crash-rated protection, our wedge barriers, bollards, rising beams, drop arms, and net barriers have a variety of crash-rated options.
Compare different types of security barriers.
Visuals, operations, and protection.
AESTHETICS | OPERATION | CONSTRUCTION | COST | |
Wedge Barrier | Flush with the road when down, high-viz when up. | Fast actuation, EFO available (~2 sec.) | Broad, shallow excavation with shallow drainage. | 💲💲💲 |
Drop Arm | Industrial design, always highly visible. | Slower actuation, no EFO (6-8 sec.) | Pedestal foundation excavations ~4' deep with no drainage. | 💲💲 |
Rising Beam | Industrial design, highly visible when closed. | Slower actuation, no EFO (3-5 sec.) | Long, narrow, shallow foundation excavation with shallow drainage. | 💲💲💲 |
Rising Bollard | Flush with the road when down, very attractive with many finish options. | Fast actuation, EFO available (~2 sec.) | Larger, deep excavation (~6') with deep drainage. | 💲💲💲💲 |
Net Barrier | Flush with the road when down, high visibility when up. | Fast actuation (~2 sec.) | Long, narrow, shallow foundation excavation with shallow drainage. | 💲💲💲 |
Gate Arm | Industrial Design, Always highly visible. | Slower actuation (6-8 sec.) | Pedestal foundation excavations with no drainage | 💲 |
BARRIER PRICING CONSIDERATIONS
Cost factors to keep in mind.
What payment or financing options are available?
Many integrators offer phased payment schedules, financing plans, or bundle barriers with larger security projects.
Do automated barriers increase property value or reduce insurance costs?
Often yes, security barriers improve safety, reduce liability, and in high-risk industries can lower insurance premiums.
How long does installation take?
This is heavily dependent on the type of automated barrier being installed, but most security barriers are installed anywhere from 1-7 days. Barriers that need heavy excavation or have more complex installations, such as wedge barriers, can take up to 2-4 weeks to install.
Can I expect any hidden costs?
A reputable integrator should provide transparent pricing with no surprises. While unforeseen conditions (like underground utilities) can add costs, you should know about them upfront.
How do lifetime costs compare to initial costs?
Initial costs of include any security assessments, design assistance, installation, and training –– generally a one-time cost. Lifetime costs include maintenance, repairs, and operations ––ongoing costs but smaller per occurrence. Preventative maintenance reduces long-term expenses and necessary downtime.
What are industry variations that might affect price?
Different manufacturers and equipment lines create wide price ranges. Project timelines, anticipated challenges, and even tariffs on imported equipment can add costs. Integrators with broader manufacturer access may offer more pricing flexibility.
Where can I expect in terms of a price range for installation?
With so many different types of automated barriers, it’s nearly impossible to answer this question in a general sense. If you would like quotes on specific types of automated barriers, contact us and we’ll get you all the information you’re looking for.
What makes physical security integrators more or less affordable?
Scope of services: specialized knowledge in high-security installs cost more than basic providers. In addition, threat level can affect price: high-security, crash-rated solutions are more expensive than light-duty options.
What factors influence the overall cost?
The type of barrier (bollard, wedge barrier, drop arm, rising beam, cable) and crash-protection level are the biggest price drivers. Other variables include power supply, wiring/cables, material, finish, and advanced technology options. Outside of barrier-specific factors, excavation limitations, extreme weather/environments, and geographical location can also heavily influence the cost of an automated barrier installation.
DIFFERENT BARRIER SYSTEM COST COMPARISONS
Prices and installation factors.
PRICE RANGE | INSTALL TIME | SPACE NEEDED | |
Traffic Arm | $15,000 - $20,000 | 1-2 days | 2-3 feet of underground excavation and a width slightly larger than the length of the arm. |
Rising Beam | $10,000 - $100,000+ | 1-3 days | 2+ feet of underground excavation and an opening that accommodates the length of the beam and support posts. |
Drop Arm | $4,000 - $50,000+ | 1-3 days | 2-5 feet of underground excavation and at least the width of the arm length. |
Wedge Barrier | $18,000 - $100,000+ | 1-4 weeks | 2-4 feet of underground excavation and enough opening for the barrier and foundation pad. |
Bollard | $800 - $12,000 | 1-7 days | <1 -8 feet of excavation with hole widths large enough to accommodate bollard diameter. |
*While IronSite strives for accuracy, the above-listed price ranges are general approximations for informational purposes only and might not reflect actual costs. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Most recently updated November 2025.