In recent times, there’s been a major shift in the importance of the word safety, not just inside commercial buildings but outside in open spaces as well. Since the idea of security weighs heavy on everyone’s mind, an increasing number of facilities like retail shops, malls, schools, and private businesses are looking for solutions to ensure the prevention of ram-raiding, intrusions caused by vehicles, and pedestrian incidents.
Since their shared goal is to ensure proper safety and protection of buildings, infrastructure, as well as pedestrians that move around the commercial or outdoor spaces, many facilities have opted for bollards as the most reliable and aesthetic solution designed for increased safety and security.
Bollards are often called the unsung heroes of traffic control and site security we often pass but tend not to pay much attention to them. They’re available in different shapes and sizes, rooted in the ground to block vehicle access, block pathways, and protect buildings.
In this article, we take a closer look at why these quiet sentinels are important at public venues and how they’re designed to serve and protect us.
What Are Bollards?
Before discussing the importance of bollards at public venues, we must understand what they are. As we mentioned, in its simplest state, a bollard post is made out of materials such as concrete, stainless steel, or aluminum, embedded vertically in the ground to prevent vehicle access and contact against buildings or venues.
They’re usually evenly spaced across an area to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles but still allow a path for pedestrians, bicycles, and strollers. Although they look very simple, they come in various architectural designs and can be more complex and even automatically activated through hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. In addition, there are high-tech bollards with electric illumination coatings, which makes them stand out in any lighting.
Protecting People
There’s simply no denying that one of the most devastating things that can happen in open spaces is an accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian which can lead to severe injury and even end fatally. For this reason, protecting people is a must in today’s fast-paced world.
Even though these unfortunate accidents can be prevented with clear signs and mapping out where pedestrians and where vehicular traffic moves, bollards can be an additional help to create smooth traffic flow with as few interruptions as possible.
For Traffic Control and Parking Management
Jammed parking spaces can lead to time being wasted and money being spent in vain. Adding security bollards can help reduce this problem as it will guide traffic through previously set routes and boundaries, and separate entry and exit lanes, and mark the end of the parking bays.
All this will help prevent cars from entering the wrong lane or entering lanes incorrectly, and stop drivers from taking shortcuts when driving through the parking lot, which, in turn, often leads to perilous traffic situations.
For Protecting Parking Asset Infrastructure
Maintaining parking infrastructure and repairs can be quite expensive. Anytime a motor vehicle collides with concrete columns, roller doors, pipelines, and gates that are part of an underground parking garage, damages of some sort may occur. Installing bollards is an effective way of preventing such damages from happening.
From a security perspective, bollards are significant safety features and could save the life of a pedestrian if a vehicle loses control and hits a walkway. On the other hand, in warehouses or industrial settings, they can be used as workplace health and safety tools to point out to pedestrians where they should move and separate them from hazardous zones.
For Reserving Disabled Parking Bays
Imagine arriving at work early in the morning, only to discover that someone has parked in your spot. This creates unnecessary stress and losing precious time while looking for a different place to park. Adding security bollards to parking bays can help you prevent such an infuriating thing from happening.
In addition, bollards make an essential component of any parking lot and can make a world of difference for some people. Oftentimes, we see disabled bays being used by able-bodied people. Bollards are the perfect solution to reserve disabled parking bays for those who’re meant to be using them in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Whether used by warehouses, malls, government buildings, courthouses, ambulances, or restaurants, bollards are effective fixtures and recommended for all types of public venues and high-risk areas that people visit frequently.
Bollards are designed wisely with a decorative flair but their main purpose is to serve as stable barriers that direct and protect vehicles, build corners and people, maintain traffic flow, and stop crashes. With all this in mind, it’s no wonder why they’ve become an essential part of perimeter security.