The Barrier Arm Optical Turnstile is placed in a parallel arrangement to create a high speed/non-restrictive pedestrian walkway with barrier arms. The passageways are truly bi-directional at all times. The barrier arms react with a valid card read and swing in the direction of travel, resetting after pedestrian passage. Interference sensors within the walkway will detect an obstruction in the arms path and will prevent the arm from traveling if this condition continues. In standard mode, the barrier arm is extended and will retract upon a valid card read. The barrier arm may be set to remain retracted during periods of high-volume traffic flow. The barrier arm delay time is less than one second from fully extended to fully retracted, and will remain retracted as long as a steady stream of valid cards are being presented. This system can be field selected as a card-in/Free-Exit, or Card-In/Card-Out system configuration. Visual and audible annunciation is provided at each pedestrian walkway to provide indication of valid/invalid card read, lane status, and alarm conditions. The non-restrictive barrier free design provides equal access in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990/ADA, and the Fire/Life Safety Code 101, and standard building codes.