Data shows LW is almost as busy as Anaheim Stadium
GATE ACCESS
The RFID gate access program launched Jan. 17 has provided an elevated level of security and the first real data on how many vehicles come in and out of Leisure World daily.
According to statistics from Security, an average of about 6,500 vehicles a day enter the community through the three gates. That’s slightly less than the traffic volume at Anaheim Stadium during an Angel’s game.
Overall, the system is working, although not without the challenges that would be expected from transitioning 9,500 residents, plus a couple thousand daily guests, vendors, caregivers and family, to the new wireless gate access system.
Among its benefits, the system is controlling access and prohibiting unauthorized individuals from entering Leisure World. With controlled access, people cannot enter and leave the community unnoticed, which helps residents feel safe and secure in their homes.
There have been complaints of unactivated RFID cards, confusing traffic patterns at the Main Gate, intermittent longer wait times at gates, car stacking onto Seal Beach Boulevard and visitor passes that don’t work.
Since the program’s inception, Security has issued 75,000 guest passes and recorded 284,900 total vehicle entries through March 1. There is a fulltime person troubleshooting inactive guest and service passes. Residents are encouraged to send guests e-passes through Proptia to relieve pressure on Security personnel. More than 2,000 residents are currently signed up for the online guest management system. Sending e-passes is easy and streamlines the process as all that’s needed is a quick scan instead of data entry at the gate. Guests who need passes can use residents’ unit numbers, rather than names, which are easier to input.
Security has also undertaken a more rigorous training program to help maximize efficiency at the gates and reduce wait times. Gate guards will also be given information flyers to speedily dispatch drivers into Leisure World. Frequently, traffic backs up because drivers linger at gates to get questions answered.
Numbers show there is already a significant increase in non-resident traffic entering through the North and St. Andrews gates. Also, sandwich boards are being ordered for the Main Gate to alert drivers that they can enter at other gates to further alleviate congestion at LW’s entrance gate. Residents are asked to encourage visitors to enter at alternative gates.
The GRF has ordered a traffic study on how to reconfigure lanes at the Main Gate to ease car stacking on Seal Beach Boulevard. Cross traffic has always been a challenge at the Main Gate.
Proposals include opening both lanes to residents, which entails installing a second guard with a scanner to accommodate guests. In this scenario, drivers who need to turn on Del Monte would need to be in the right lane upon entry, for example.
Since Jan. 17, drivers have broken off more than 25 barrier arms, which Service Maintenance reattaches. Signage has been ordered to place on the arms to make them more visible to drivers.
RFID readers were adjusted at the St. Andrews Gate on Monday to make the readers more responsive.
Overall, the program is operating as expected. GRF appreciates residents’ patience as kinks are worked out.
