Final answer:
Access control systems can be mechanical/automated such as airport security gates and toll collection systems or be based on visual recognition. Voting systems like mechanical, punch-card, and touch-screen machines are also forms of access control ensuring voting integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Control systems for managing access to a secure environment may use either mechanical/automated access control systems or visual recognition methods to ensure security. An airport security gate is an example of an automated access control system that not only detects metals but also indicates their approximate height above the floor. This form of technology allows for heightened security and efficiency when processing large numbers of individuals. Security measures can extend beyond physical spaces, as seen with the electronic toll collection systems like E-ZPass, which monitors vehicle movements.
Election technology, such as punch-card voting systems, mechanical voting machines, and touch-screen machines, provide another context in which access control plays a crucial role in managing and safeguarding the voting process. Mechanical voting machines typically involve voters interacting physically with the machine, flipping switches and pulling a lever. Punch-card machines require a voter to mark a card that is then tallied by a machine. The contemporary preference leans toward touch-screen machines which electronically record voters' choices similarly to ATM machines. Access control in this context is critical for ensuring the integrity of the voting process.