A bollard is a small vertical post that is used to direct or guide the traffic, protection of buildings and safety of pedestrians etc. A bollard is the best solution when there is a concern of road safety in heavy traffic areas. Bollards come in many different shapes, sizes and materials. They are used for different purposes in different locations.
The main purpose of a bollard is to provide security and protection for vehicles and pedestrians in heavy traffic areas. It can also be used for decorative purposes. A bollard serves different purposes. It can be used for the guidance of traffic as well as for the decoration of some specific area etc.
Bollards are a good product when it comes to safety concerns. However it can also be a source of damaging the cars as well. The cars when hit the bollard, the speed is lowered and the bollard helps in decreasing the collision impact but the car also gets damaged during the collision. Sometimes the opposite happens. The steel bollards for example, are not made that much strong to bear the impact of collision. The steel bollard gets damaged easily when a speedy vehicle collides with it.
Types of Bollards
There are many different types of bollards available that serve different purposes. They are made different according to the purpose for which they have to be used. Some of the most common types of bollards are given below.
· Pedestrian Bollards: they are usually used to be placed outside parks and playgrounds etc.
· Concrete Bollards: they are used to reduce the impact of collision. They are also known as heavy duty bollards.
· Plastic Bollards: these bollards are mostly made from recycled plastic and recycled steel mesh is used inside these bollards to make them strong.
Different Material Used for Bollards
Bollards are made with different materials. Some of them are heavy weight and some are light weight. They are built and designed according to the need and requirements of the place where they have to be installed. Some of the common materials for bollards are given below.
· Aluminium
· Wood
· Plastic
· Stainless steel
· Concrete
· Metal
Benefits of security Bollards
Bollards offer many benefits not only for vehicles but also for the safety of pedestrians. Bollards offer many benefits in high traffic and accident prone areas. Following are some of the most important advantages of bollards.
1. Vehicular/ Driver Safety
In high traffic areas, heavy duty bollards like metal bollards are used. They are installed in high traffic areas to reduce the impact of collision. In heavy traffic areas, the chance of accidents is high. Therefore metallic bollards are installed to provide safety not only for the vehicles but also for the driver. Best Security Bollards provide visual alert to the drivers that something is unusual in their way and they should decrease the car speed. Bollards also help to prevent accidents by alerting the drivers. These bollards can be placed in a straight line or can be placed in regular gap intervals on the roadside.
2. Protection for Private Landowners
Steel Bollards are also placed outside private properties to let the public know that this specific area is someone’s property. Therefore no unauthorised person will dare to enter the premises without the owner’s permission. This helps in preventing trespassers from entering privately owned properties. These bollards can be used for both residential and commercial properties.
3. Ensure the Safety of Pedestrians
Busy street corners, blind spots, narrow pavements etc are all places where a pedestrian needs safety against vehicular traffic. Therefore bollards placed at these places can be very helpful in ensuring pedestrian’s safety. Street bollards ensure that the place for pedestrians should not be overrun by vehicular traffic. They provide a visual barrier for car drivers to protect the pedestrians from any accidental hazards.
4. Adds to aesthetics
Bollards placed in the streets or along roadsides can also add to the aesthetics or beauty of that place. Not all bollards are colourless. They can be made in different styles and colours to enhance the structural design of a particular place or building. Many store owners and land owners also use the decorative bollards to highlight their places and give an aesthetic and visual appeal to the visitors.
5. Low Cost
If we compare the cost of bollards with other products used as barriers, then bollards are a less expensive option. They are simple but strong so that you can place them anywhere without the need for using concrete or asphalt. The soil in which the bollard is going to be installed also does not need to be graded. This means that you only have to spend the money to buy the bollard. Their installation cost is also not high. Maintenance is easy as well. This means that the long term costs are also not very high.
Concluding Statement
Bollards are a very useful, easy to install and yet inexpensive option for you when you want both safety and security of a particular place. They not only provide safety for vehicular traffic but for pedestrians as well. They also serve decorative purposes.
