How Bollards Enhance Pedestrian Safety in Urban Areas

Pedestrian safety is paramount in bustling, built-up urban areas. As well as protecting pedestrians, urban areas need to improve the mobility and flow of people to ensure no risks and accidents occur from an unorganised heavy flow of people. An essential part of urban planning and calming the flow of people and cars is the use of street bollards and other kinds of bollards. These can easily control traffic, protect busy areas from vehicle intrusion, split areas up and keep the traffic flow organised and safe. They play a pivotal and diverse role in creating safe and easy-to-navigate spaces, particularly for pedestrians.

Discover how bollards enhance pedestrian safety in Urban areas in our blog and see just how crucial they are for built-up, bustling cities.

What are bollards?

Bollards are vertical posts that are designed to manage and restrict vehicle traffic, enhance pedestrian safety and protect properties. Traditionally, they were used as mooring posts to safely secure ships to docks. However, as years went on, bollards became an important safety feature within urban areas as they had huge potential to protect pedestrians and control the traffic flow. They then evolved into the versatile fixtures you see today in cities and busy areas.

In the past, bollards were only simple wooden posts, but as cities became larger and busier, vehicle traffic became higher and so did foot traffic of pedestrians. So, there suddenly became a need for a more durable and versatile design.

Now, bollards are not only functional barriers, but they are key aspects of a city’s design. They help to influence the flow of pedestrians, keep them safe and enhance the aesthetic integration of public spaces. They help to make a visually appealing environment while making safety a priority.

Types of bollards

There are primary types of street bollards and other kinds that can be used in urban areas and for properties. There are multiple variants of these primary types that offer various protection too. The primary types are:

• Fixed bollards: These are known as permanent bollards as they are permanently installed and not intended to be easily removed. They are made from robust materials such as steel or concrete and are usually used for blocking pedestrian areas from cars.
• Removable bollards: These are known as non-permanent as they don’t always need to stay fixed into place. They can be temporarily removed to permit vehicle access when needed. They are perfect for areas that need occasional access, controlled traffic flow in restricted zones or to transform and area.
• Retractable bollards: These are also known as telescopic bollards which can be lowered into the ground or raised when needed. They are quite similar to removable options but don’t need to be stored when not in use as they retract into the ground.
• Decorative bollards: These combine functionality with visual appeal. They enhance the environment while providing necessary barriers. These bollards often feature designs that reflect the cultural and historical context of the area.

Enhancing pedestrian safety

Urban traffic bollards are a robust physical barrier that can effectively protect pedestrians in urban areas. There can be bollards for public footpaths that separate walkways from motorised vehicles and provide a layer of crucial protection, especially in places with high foot traffic. Bollards give pedestrians security as they act as a visual cue telling them where it is safe to stand, walk or even cross.

Bollards for streets and parks also manage the pedestrian flow, preventing congestion and giving smooth mobility and easy access. They are highly effective in very crowded urban areas as they direct foot traffic. They guide pedestrians along designated pathways making space while reducing the possibility of overcrowding the footpaths. Bollards aid with maintaining order and efficiency, allowing people to walk around easily and safely.

Street bollards

Street bollards are the key variety of bollards used to enhance pedestrian safety. These are physical barriers that create designated safe spaces for pedestrians. They protect them from dangers such as moving vehicles and are usually installed along paths or pedestrian-only zones. Street bollards have sturdy structures that can take the weight of huge impacts. They establish clear boundaries to prevent accidental vehicle intrusions and if a vehicle steers toward pedestrians, they stop the car on impact. This type of bollard is very useful in areas where the curb and road are on the same level and there is no visual line separating the street from the paths. They ensure pedestrians can easily navigate the busy city centre without the fear of oncoming traffic.

Anti-terror bollards

Anti-terror bollards are also used to enhance pedestrian safety, and they effectively safeguard public areas and city centres. They are made from robust galvanized steel and are regularly crash-tested to withstand potential vehicle assaults. They can prevent enormous weighty vehicles from travelling into pedestrians. These bollards have immense anti-ram capabilities while giving seamless automation. Many can easily retract and rise from the ground automatically, ensuring they are in use when needed while allowing access to essential vehicles in restricted areas.

Traffic calming purposes

Street bollards and other variants also can calm traffic to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly in high-traffic areas. Strategically placing bollards along roads or at intersections can slow down vehicle traffic effectively in bustling cities. Bollards act as a visual caution to remind drivers to slow down and drive carefully.

Using urban traffic bollards can also calm pedestrian traffic to prevent overcrowding and accidents. These approaches improve pedestrian safety and give a city a pedestrian-friendly environment by reducing accidents and collisions.

Visibility and awareness

Many street bollards are equipped with reflective or illuminated features that are vital in enhancing pedestrian safety and visibility. These are particularly effective during the night or adverse weather conditions when visibility is limited. The bollards act as visual cues that alert both pedestrians and motorists to the presence of designated pedestrian areas. They make it easier to tell where one ends, and one begins too. Due to improving visibility, street bollards help reduce the risk of accidents while making sure pedestrians can navigate urban environments safely, no matter the time of day or type of weather.

Improving urban mobility

Street bollards are not only vital in enhancing pedestrian safety, but they play a key part in improving urban mobility. Urban traffic bollards guide foot traffic and improve the safety at pedestrian crossings. They do this by enhancing visibility and highlighting safe crossing areas. They also safeguard and support other modes of public transport, such as bus lanes or cycle lanes which makes a more efficient and accessible city.

When urban areas position bollards along transit routes, they can easily protect dedicated lanes from oncoming vehicle traffic. This gives free and easy access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Technology and smart solutions

As cities are becoming smarter, street bollards are evolving through technological integration. Aspects such as advanced sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) can transform urban safety bollards into intelligent protectors. They can now include motion sensors, cameras and communication modules to detect and respond to potential threats in real time, enhancing the safety of pedestrians immensely. They can be aware of their surroundings and enable a protective security measure quickly to protect pedestrians.

Urban traffic bollards can be integrated with traffic management systems which can dynamically adjust traffic flow, optimise pedestrian routes and provide essential urban planning and optimisation data.

All of these aspects of street bollards enhance the safety of pedestrians in urban areas. They can easily and seamlessly protect the public from incoming threats while serving as a visual divider for vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic. Urban traffic bollards reduce the risk of accidents, crashes, terrorist threats and injuries or falls as they are robust solutions that can take on huge impacts and make cities a safe space. They also can easily control the flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, ensuring the city doesn’t get overcrowded.

For business or property protection browse our commercial security bollards to enhance the safety of you and your vehicle. If you have any questions or want further information about our range of bollards, please contact us today.