The term “bollard” sounds foreign and complicated, but it’s actually just a short and sturdy vertical post. They were first used in the 17th to 18th centuries to help moor ships on quaysides. The people then used old cannons as bollards, with the muzzle of the cannon buried in the ground. Meanwhile, the other end is left exposed for tying the ropes. Wooden bollards were also used from the beginning of the 18th century to help manage traffic and prevent injuries caused by carriages.
Nowadays, bollards are often made from steel, plastic, or a combination of both. They have also found use in other industries and have shown their usefulness in various daily applications. Some of these uses include the following:
Blocking Access
Safety bollards are often used to prevent vehicular or pedestrian access to storefronts, driveways, or high-security structures such as government buildings. Used in this manner, safely bollards are mainly visual deterrents aimed at drivers and pedestrians, giving them enough time to adjust their course.
There are also removable or collapsible safety bollards that can be used for construction sites, events, and other temporary installations or gatherings. Once they’ve served their purpose, the bollards can then be removed and reused for other purposes or in other locations.
Controlling or Redirecting Vehicular Traffic
As earlier mentioned, bollards were already used as early as the 18th century to direct carriage traffic. This function continues to be applied in modern times. Safety bollards are used to keep traffic under control and, more importantly, to protect areas like bike paths and pedestrian sidewalks or crosswalks. At times, traffic cones are replaced by bollards to serve as temporary barriers and warning signs.
Bollards can also be used to narrow roads, thereby slowing down traffic. This can help reduce car accidents and even lessen their severity. For improved safety, there are also specially-designed bollards made from steel and reinforced with concrete cores, as well as flexible bollards that bend or absorb shock upon impact.
Organizing Queues
Temporary or permanent bollards can be used to direct the flow of people in establishments such as museums, banks, and shopping centers. These bollards can also have special fittings at the top like hooks or loops, where ropes or cords can be attached. This can help cordon off specific areas to organize paths during large-scale events or to completely block off access.
Bicycle Parking
Safety bollards can also be used to delineate parking spots for bicycles. Bollards also provide hitching support so the bicycle owners can safely lock-up their bikes, much like how ships or boats can be moored on docks. The bollards can also act as protection for bicycles.
Protecting Structures and Other Objects
Another use for safety bollards is for the protection of structures and valuable objects such as historical sites. Safety bollards can create a barrier for these structures or objects, preventing defacement and damage from vandalism, vehicular accidents, and the like.
Safety bollards can also be used to ensure constant access to buildings or facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, and fire hydrants. Emergency personnel needs to come and go at all hours, and bollards are a simple but effective way to prevent traffic blockages in these facilities. Collapsible bollards can come in handy in establishing barriers that can also be removed when there’s a need for more space.
Impact Protection
Do you own a structure like a retail establishment with a storefront? You can use safety bollards to prevent damage from car crashes and other accidents. They can also help enhance building security in general since bollards can act as security posts.
Parking buildings and warehouses also use shock-absorbing bollards to minimize impact damage. These shock-absorbing bollards bend or have some “give,” preventing damage to both vehicles and the bollards themselves. There are also bell-shaped safety bollards, which are popular in Europe. This help deflect vehicle tires, protecting both properties and pedestrians from impact.
Nighttime Visibility
Safety bollards can enhance nighttime visibility in areas like alleyways, pedestrian areas, and parks. These bollards can be equipped with reflective bands or solar-powered LEDs. Enhanced visibility can help discourage unscrupulous individuals from committing crimes. At the same time, it can increase vehicular safety, especially for drivers who may not be familiar with the area.
Sometimes, the oldest inventions are the most effective solutions to modern problems. Just look at the safety pin, which was invented in 1849, or the paper clip, which was invented in 1899. As the adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This same philosophy applies to bollards. There may have been a few updates over time (we’re certainly not using old cannons anymore), but bollards remain essentially the same.
If you’re interested in using bollards for safety and security, you may get in touch with companies like Image Bollards. They have a wide variety of safety bollards to choose from, including stainless steel and plastic, as well as retractable and automatic styles to suit various functions.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
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