1. You can have the autogate only open 1 side of the gate to allow simple access.

2. Normal arrangement is to have the gate open out.  You can have it open in too but the placement of the motor will be limited by the available width of you gate post.  Yes, you can set the gate to open 1 in and 1 out.  Howver once you decide on these configurations (both out, both in, one in one out) the pattern is fixed

3. Best - price not an issue FAAC. but for most residential houses a good local brand is sufficient.  A very common one out in the market is OAE. Fairly realiable, easy and cheap to get spare parts.
You can find the specification on http://autogatemalaysia.blogspot.com/

5. The only danger with gate crushing is with sliding door system. There is no such danger with Swing Arm system as the closing force of the gate is not extremely high.

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Added on June 25, 2009, 12:27 amHere's a description of the different types of system:-
http://autogatemalaysia.blogspot.com/2009/...ystems-arm.html

1. Folding gate most unrealiable as it has the most moving parts (gate hinge, floating hinge, lower track etc).  It is also the least secure as the the gate is held in position only at the bottom track.

2. Swing gate is the most common systems around nowadays. As long as the gates has good bearing, properly installed quality arms it is fairly realiable.  Underground systems were popular 5 years back but now most of them are being replaced by above ground arm actuators which are not proned to flooding.

3. Sliding gates are the most realiable systems.  Just 1 large powerful AC motor driving the whole gate.  very few moving parts.  Downside is that it is slower as the gate has to travel 11 feet of track and there is the danger of crushing.