Arduino motor control
===

I am working on a project where I have to control a vehicle barrier gate (like [this][1]). Our team has planned to work with Arduino but we are open to other suggestions.

My question is, can I use a DC motor for this sort of task or should I look into AC motors? And what kind of motor should I use? Is this even possible using Arduino? 

I looked into some of the tutorials of automated garage door openers which kind of relates to what I am trying to do. But the problem is, most of them use commercial garage door openers which are already built in to the system. So I have no way to know which hardware (specifically, which motor) they used for the purpose. 

I have worked with Arduino before so have some idea on how it operates. 

Any help will be appreciated.

(If this is not the appropriate place to post this question, please let me know).

Thanks a lot!


  [1]: http://www.laornamental.com/images/Liftmaster-MegaArm-Tower-Barrier-Gate-Operators-small.jpg