A system for operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a remotely operable access point at an authentication point. A first trigger sensor detects an RFID signal from an RFID device associated with a user at a first trigger distance from the authentication point. A controller responsive to a signal detected from the RFID device exchanges data with the RFID device and determines whether the RFID device is authorized. A second trigger sensor exchanges data with the RFID device at a second trigger distance closer to the authentication point than the first trigger distance. The controller is responsive to data received from the RFID device at the second trigger sensor to enable the controlled access barrier to grant access to the user at the access point after exchanging data with the RFID device at the second trigger sensor only if the user has been authenticated.