Bollards have a variety of different applications, concerning safety and security, and the regulation of traffic is one of the most important. In this article we will have a look at a few of the vital traffic control uses for Bollards and how they ultimately assist in keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe. If you are interested in finding out more about the effectiveness of Bollards, do not hesitate to have a look at our StreetScape website. StreetScape has everything you need when it comes to durable landscaping elements.
3 Reasons Why Bollards Are Great For General Traffic Control
Let’s begin our in-depth look at the traffic regulating abilities of our products with these 3 points.
- Bollards are highly visible and can clearly mark the boundaries of a road or pathway, making it easier for drivers and pedestrians to understand where they are allowed to go. This can help to reduce confusion and improve traffic flow, as drivers are less likely to make mistakes or violate traffic laws when they can easily see where they are allowed to drive.
- Bollards are typically made of sturdy materials, such as steel or concrete, which can withstand impact from vehicles. This makes them effective at preventing cars from veering off the road or onto sidewalks, where they could potentially harm pedestrians. In the event of an accident, they can also help to reduce the severity of the impact by absorbing some of the energy from the collision.
- Bollards can be used to create a physical barrier that restricts access to certain areas, such as pedestrian-only zones or restricted parking areas. This can help to prevent accidents and improve traffic flow by ensuring that only authorized vehicles are allowed in certain areas.
They can also be used to create security barriers that prevent unauthorized vehicles from accessing sensitive areas, such as government buildings or military installations. By providing a physical barrier that vehicles cannot easily pass through, bollards can help to enhance security and protect against potential threats.
Why Bollards Are Important For Controlling Traffic On Small Streets
Small city streets are often bustling with pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. As such, it is important to ensure the safety of everyone using the street. One way to do this is by installing bollards on these roads. These sturdy, vertical posts that are installed on streets and sidewalks – typically made of steel or concrete and are designed to be robust and impact-resistant. They serve a variety of purposes, including traffic control and security.
In the context of small city streets, they can be used to create safe pedestrian areas, by separating sidewalks from traffic lanes or protecting pedestrians from vehicle traffic. They can also be used to protect buildings, such as storefronts, from vehicle damage. Additionally, they can be effectively used to create bike lanes, which can encourage more people to use bicycles as a form of transportation. The Netherlands is a fantastic example of this thought process being implemented.
They are also fantastic at providing an added layer of security against vehicle-based attacks. In recent years, there have been a number of these unfortunate incidents in which vehicles have been used as weapons to cause harm to large groups of people. Bollards can help prevent these types of attacks by blocking vehicles from entering pedestrian areas or sensitive locations that are vulnerable to this type of violence.
Some Important Uses For Bollards In Different Spaces
1.Airport Entrances and Parking Garages. Retractable bollards, which can be lowered into the ground as needed, are frequently used in parking lots and small airport entrances to provide security and manage traffic. For example, some airports use these to prevent overcrowding and allow authorized vehicles to enter the airport.
Drivers can activate the bollards by pressing a button or using their kiosk tickets. In addition to parking lots and airports, they can also be used at park entrances to manage traffic and prevent frustration among drivers. Park employees can use the bollards to direct drivers to the appropriate parking lots.
2.Government Buildings. Bollards are often used to provide security for government buildings. For example, the White House in Washington D.C. uses them to prevent unauthorized vehicles from accessing the grounds. When the bollards are in the raised position, they act as a physical barrier to prevent vehicles from entering the area.
When they are lowered, authorized vehicles can pass through. Retractable bollards are also used at embassies and other diplomatic buildings to provide security. In some cases, they can be raised and lowered remotely using a security control centre, allowing for quick responses to potential threats.
3.Pedestrian Areas. They can also be used in pedestrian areas to provide safety for pedestrians and to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering these areas. For example, bollards are often used in pedestrian malls, plazas, and other public spaces to create a barrier between pedestrians and vehicles.
When they are in the raised position, pedestrians can walk freely without worrying about vehicles entering the area. When the bollards are lowered, authorized vehicles, such as delivery trucks or emergency vehicles can pass through.
4.Events and Festivals. Bollards are also used at events and festivals to create temporary pedestrian areas. For example, at a music festival, retractable bollards can be used to create a pedestrian-only area near the stages, preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering the area. When the festival is over they can be raised, allowing vehicles to pass through again.
5.Bike Lanes. They can also be used to create temporary bike lanes. For example, in some cities retractable variations are used to create a dedicated bike lane during rush hour. When they are in the raised position, the bike lane is in use and when they are lowered, the lane is open to vehicles again. This allows for a more flexible use of road space and helps to promote active transportation.
What Makes Bollards Especially Important In City Centres?
Bollards are vitally important to use in city centres, where the presence of pedestrians, cars, buses and other vehicles can create a complex and potentially dangerous mix. By providing a clear and visible boundary between the road and the sidewalk, bollards can help to reduce the risk of accidents involving cars and pedestrians.
Additionally, bollards can be used to create pedestrian-only zones, which can help to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city centre. They can also be used to create security barriers that prevent unauthorized vehicles from accessing sensitive areas, such as government buildings or military installations. Overall, bollards are an essential tool for ensuring the safety and security of city centres, and can play a critical role in keeping pedestrians and drivers safe.
Other Ways That Bollards Have Been Utilised In The Past
In addition to their use in controlling traffic and protecting buildings and landmarks, bollards have also been used for other purposes throughout history. For example, they were often used as mooring posts for ships in harbours and along waterways. This allowed ships to be securely tied up to the bollards, preventing them from drifting or being damaged in rough waters.
Bollards were also used as posts for attaching ropes or chains to demarcate boundaries or areas that were off-limits to the public. This could include private property, areas under construction, or hazardous areas. They were also used to create barriers around dangerous machinery or equipment, such as steam engines or large waterwheels, to prevent people from coming into contact with them.
As cities and towns grew and developed, bollards continued to be an important tool for controlling the movement of people and vehicles. They were used to create pedestrian-only areas, such as in shopping districts or public squares, where people could walk and shop without worrying about traffic. They were also used to create traffic calming measures, such as narrowing streets or creating roundabouts, to reduce the speed of vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians.
Bollards Are Highly Effective At Regulating Pedestrian Traffic
Bollards are very efficient at controlling pedestrian traffic for a few very valid reasons.
- They are highly visible and easily recognizable, which makes it clear to pedestrians where they are allowed to walk and where they are not. This can help to prevent accidents and reduce congestion in crowded areas.
- They are sturdy and difficult to move or damage, which makes them effective at physically blocking access to certain areas. This can help to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering pedestrian-only areas, which can improve safety for pedestrians and avoid confusion for drivers.
- They can be used to create a variety of different pedestrian flow patterns, depending on the needs of the area. For example, bollards can be used to create one-way or two-way pedestrian paths, or to create pedestrian-only areas that are separated from vehicle traffic. This flexibility makes bollards a versatile tool for controlling pedestrian traffic in a variety of settings.
What Kind Of Products Do We Offer At Streetscapes?
At Streetscapes, we offer two different types of materials in terms of bollards. Let’s have a look at the differences between concrete and steel and where certain styles or materials would be more useful to implement.
Concrete: This material is the most common for manufacturing bollards. They are quick and easy to install and are relatively inexpensive. An appealing property of concrete is that it is especially resistant against harsh weather and does not rust.
Over time they may crack or suffer some damage but we are confident they will last for a long time! Some of the styles include taper concrete bollards, bloc 220, barrier, ball 400 concrete, quartet and more. They are all effective and functional but the main reason for the variety of style is aesthetic-based. They weigh around 163 kgs so they are certainly sturdy enough for almost any impact.
Steel: The main difference between the concrete and steel is the overall durability of the steel counterparts. They are far more resistant to cracking and damage but are slightly more affected by the elements. However, this can be avoided by painting them with rust-resistant paint and regular maintenance.
Some of the styles we offer include round 150 flat top, round 150 convex top, square 150 flat top, Regal, Newton, and more. The steel variety typically weighs around 14kgs, so they are significantly lighter than the concrete alternative. However, they do make up for this difference in weight in the strength of the steel itself.
About Streetscapes
We are a proudly South African landscaping element manufacturer based out of Cape Town. We are a leading supplier in our field and our goal is to make our urban spaces more inviting, functional and appealing. With a large variety of products for you to choose from including seating, bins, tree elements, bollard designs, paving and curbs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any inquiries, we are more than happy to assist.