When it rains in the Bay Area, keeping vital infrastructure dry becomes a priority — even for the region’s rail system. Recently, Americover had the opportunity to collaborate with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to engineer a custom weather protection solution for their electronic turnstiles.
About BART
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) connects the San Francisco Bay Area and East Bay communities with a high-speed regional rail network that serves millions of passengers each year.
From daily commuters to travelers, BART’s system relies on precisely engineered electronic components — including ticketing turnstiles that must remain fully operational in all weather conditions.
The Challenge
Although California enjoys sunny weather most of the year, the occasional rainy season poses a challenge for BART’s electronic fare gates. Exposure to moisture can cause electrical malfunctions, service disruptions, and costly repairs.
BART needed a temporary, easy-to-install solution to keep turnstiles dry during wet conditions — one that could also signal to passengers when a unit was out of order or temporarily offline.
The Solution: Custom Elastic-Fit Poly Bags
Americover worked closely with BART’s operations team to custom fabricate protective turnstile covers tailored to their unique specifications.
After exchanging design details and precise measurements, our team engineered a custom-sized polyethylene bag with an elastic band, similar to a shower cap, that easily slips over each turnstile.
Key features of the solution:
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Elastic-fit design ensures quick installation and removal
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Durable polyethylene material resists tears and moisture
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Clear or colored options available to enhance visibility or indicate “out of order” status
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Reusable and cost-effective, ideal for long-term operational use
These covers now serve as both a protective barrier against rain and dust and a visual indicator that turnstiles are temporarily unavailable.
The Result
The custom turnstile covers provided an efficient, affordable, and practical way for BART to protect electronic systems from weather damage without interrupting service or requiring major retrofits.
This small but critical solution helps keep BART’s stations running smoothly — no matter what the weather brings.
Partner With Americover for Custom Fabrication
Whether you need custom grommets, liners, or protective covers, Americover’s fabrication capabilities make it easy to design solutions that meet your project’s exact requirements.
We collaborate with customers across transportation, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and more — delivering protection that performs.
📞 Call us at 833-261-6501 or visit americover.com to discuss your next custom project.