Safety bollards come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes. Some are designed to blend into urban landscapes and enhance the appearance of an area.
Others are flexible, such as polyurethane that bends upon impact without damage to either car or post. These are ideal for protecting pedestrian zones from vehicle ramming attacks.
Defends Pedestrians
Bollards are a popular choice for preventing cars from entering areas that are meant for pedestrians, such as sidewalks and plazas. They can also be used to protect buildings, parking structures and other sensitive infrastructure from accidental vehicle collisions. This is especially important in areas that receive high levels of pedestrian traffic, like shopping centers, airports and schools.
There are several different types of bollards available to meet different needs. Knock-down or rebounding bollards have flexible bases that bend on impact, rather than breaking and causing further damage to the vehicle. These are often used as lane delineators on highways and other heavy traffic areas. Steel pipe bollards are a popular option for commercial facilities, as they are sturdy enough to prevent vehicles from driving over them and are typically rated by K-rated standards that indicate how much force they can withstand before they are penetrated by a vehicle.
Removable bollards are another popular option for areas where temporary vehicle access is needed. These can be lowered or raised remotely and are commonly seen around loading docks. They can also be used to block off areas of a building or sidewalk for maintenance work or special events. Decorative bollards are also available to add a unique aesthetic element to any area. These are usually crafted to blend in with the surrounding environment, making them a great choice for urban spaces that want to add design value without sacrificing pedestrian safety.
Even in low-traffic areas, it’s possible for drivers to accidentally mount curbs and enter pedestrian zones. This can be dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Bollards are designed to stop vehicles from getting up on the curb, which can reduce the risk of accidents in the area.
Bollards can also be placed at crosswalks to help guide pedestrians. This can be helpful for people who are unfamiliar with the area or if there’s a lot of pedestrian traffic in the area. Additionally, bollards can be placed in front of ADA-compliant ramps to protect them from the force of a vehicle’s bumper. This is particularly helpful for pedestrians who use wheelchairs.
Prevents Tripping
Whether standing alone, in pairs or as long lines of sentinels, bollards serve multiple purposes for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. As functional street furniture, they have been around for thousands of years, dating back to the Romans and their carved stone milestone markers and mooring posts for ships to dock at ports. Today, the term bollard refers to any short vertical post that is designed to deter vehicle movement or redirect it and can be found in a variety of forms that reflect design (cast iron, stainless steel, steel/cast iron composite, recycled plastic covers) and functionality (fixed, telescoping, removable and collapsible).
Among the most important roles played by decorative and security bollards is preventing accidental tripping on the barriers themselves or the gap between the ground and the surface they block. Bollards are a popular feature in city sidewalks, pedestrian walkways and bike paths and also help protect loading docks and parking areas, schools and government buildings from errant vehicles. Bollards are also a common addition to parks, cemeteries and other public spaces and prevent cars from entering areas reserved for pedestrians and non-motorized traffic.
The majority of bollards installed today are constructed from either metal or concrete and can be static/fixed, removable or collapsible to suit specific applications. They may be crash rated or non-crash resistant, depending on the level of protection required. Bollards that are crash rated have been engineered and tested to withstand the force of a typical vehicle or a truck at specific speeds. These types of bollards are commonly installed at airports, seaports, energy facilities and commercial or industrial sites where terrorist attacks are possible.
Removable and collapsible bollards are ideal for temporary or periodic security needs. These barriers are simple to install or remove at the touch of a button, making them a great choice for events where temporary road closures are planned, like sporting events and concerts. They can also be a cost-effective alternative to permanent or telescoping bollards.
Decorative bollards, on the other hand, are often incorporated into plans for new construction or renovations that require impact resistance. They act as visual guides for motorists and pedestrians and can be adorned with lighting or other features that are meant to enhance the architectural character of a space or building. The key for choosing decorative bollards is to select styles that complement the surrounding area rather than detract from it.
Prevents Vehicle Ramming
In addition to preventing accidents between cars and pedestrians, bollards can also stop vehicles from entering areas of a site or property that are reserved for pedestrian use. This is especially important in areas shared by cars and pedestrians, such as sidewalks near parking lots or parks. If an inattentive driver accidentally enters this area, they could block traffic and cause harm to pedestrians. Thus, there is a need for bollards like what is found on macs-bollards.com.
Security bollards are built to resist impact, absorbing the force of a vehicle without bending or breaking. The type of material used is a key factor in this regard, as are the installation methods. A bollard that is installed properly can resist the impact of a car traveling at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
The most effective security bollards are made from a material that is both sturdy and highly flexible. Polymer is a great example of this, offering greater flexibility than concrete but still able to absorb a large amount of force. Combined with other features such as a fine finish or a cover, this type of bollard offers a blend of functionality and aesthetics that make it ideal for use in high-risk or heavily trafficked environments.
Decorative bollards offer the perfect balance of safety and style, featuring attractive architectural designs in a variety of materials that fit the look of any urban setting. They can be a welcome alternative to the traditional concrete blocks that many interviewees cited as having an unattractive appearance. While some respondents expressed concern that the hardening of public spaces would exacerbate fears and create an atmosphere of fear, most agreed that risks must be weighed against security needs.
Although most people don’t realize it, bollards are the silent heroes of urban design. They are everywhere we go, guiding pedestrians and controlling vehicular traffic. In a world where the safety of pedestrians has taken a back seat to convenience, they are an essential complement to any effort to slow down traffic and reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians. In the small town of La Junta, Colorado, the city embraced this philosophy and re-imagined its streetscape to include bollards that protect pedestrians from car accidents.
Enhances Urban Design
Safety infrastructure is a vital part of urban design. It helps create those adorable pedestrian zones that separate cars from people; the buttons that stop traffic when you need to cross the street; and the sturdy barriers that keep cabs from plowing into sidewalks, all while looking totally cool.
That’s because, at the highest level of place-making, stylish bollards blend seamlessly into urban architecture. Some are even covered in replaceable plastic coverings, or painted with decorations, making them less noticeable from the curb. At a more-advanced level, thoughtful urban regeneration efforts integrate protection and pleasantries under a combined “quality of life” banner. This may mean concealing them behind a row of trees, or using them as benches for pedestrians to rest and relax.
Bollards are also an important element in comprehensive security strategies. They’re an effective, proactive countermeasure to vehicle-based threats, as they can be deployed in places where security systems might not be able to reach. This makes them ideal for protecting schools, military bases, banks, and other commercial establishments, as well as public spaces like city squares that merge historic sites with bustling modern life.
Many types of bollards are available, allowing you to choose the right option for your needs. Concrete bollards offer steadfast durability, while movable metal and plastic models are more flexible. Advanced bollards can be designed to work in tandem with access control systems, integrating into their physical form to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the protected zone. They can also interface with alarms, sounding an alert if they’re tampered with or forcefully struck.
Security bollards are a cornerstone of pedestrian-friendly design. They improve the efficiency of transportation centers by organizing, separating, and regulating traffic flow. They also protect sensitive structures from damage by carts and small motorized vehicles. Whether you’re designing your own new project, or implementing a security upgrade at an existing facility, incorporating bollards is a smart way to ensure the safety of all pedestrians. The good news is, bollards are available in a variety of styles and materials that match the aesthetics of any environment, providing an elegant solution for all your pedestrian safety and security needs.