A reader device of a physical access control system includes an ultra-wide band (UWB) physical layer and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is operatively coupled to the UWB physical layer and is configured to: receive access credential information from a separate second device; receive ranging information from the second device; grant access through a physical portal according to the access credential information and ranging information; determine a number of people intending to pass through the physical portal; and generate an indication according to the determined number.