Parking bollards are a type of bollard used to create both a physical and a visual barrier. They are available in a variety of designs, colors, shapes, and materials. Parking bollards are highly useful in areas where traffic flow is high. They act as a security barrier that helps to protect people and properties alongside managing the flow of traffic.
What are Parking Bollards?
A parking bollard is a small but strong barrier or post-like structure that is used to manage and control the flow of traffic in and near Parking areas. Parking bollards are of many different types and each type has its usage and specifications. The type of parking bollard installed depends on the usage.
Parking bollards are of many styles and designs but concrete and metal are the most common.
Types of Parking Bollards
Some important types of parking bollards are described below:
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Permanent/ Fixed
Permanent parking bollards are a type of bollard designed for long-term installation in areas where regular changes are not desired. These bollards are fixed into the ground and cannot be removed, providing a durable and stable barrier. Commonly made of concrete, they are the most frequently used type of parking bollards. Besides managing parking, they also serve an important role in protecting properties from ram-raiding incidents, thanks to their sturdy and immovable design.
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Retractable/ Removable
They are the type of parking bollards that can be used on an ‘as needed’ basis. They are used to block places temporarily. They are ideally used in areas or places where you want to restrict access for a certain period. They are fixed in the ground with the help of sockets and retract down in the ground when not in use. However, they retract outwards when you want to block the way of the coming traffic. Their flexibility makes them a preferred choice of parking areas for many offices and corporate buildings.
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Plastic Bollards
Plastic bollards are an excellent choice for parking areas due to their flexibility. They have a long life as they are made of a strong material known as polyethylene. Plastic bollards provide flexibility and they are easy to use between lanes as well. Moreover, they are easily visible as well which makes them a perfect choice for parking lots where there is not enough lighting.
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Rubber Bollards
Rubber bollards are also known as flexible bollards because they bend and give way when hit by a car. They are preferred in parking areas to protect vehicular damage during parking. They are made of durable rubber material and used on roads to control the flow of traffic without worrying about the risk of vehicular damage. They are mostly installed in places with high pedestrian traffic for example outside schools, malls, etc.
Uses of Parking Bollards
Some of the benefits and uses of parking bollards are listed below:
- Control Traffic: one of the major uses of parking bollards is that they can be used to manage and control the traffic. The proper installation of bollards ensures that there will be smooth and safe traffic flow in the particular area. Bollards are barriers, therefore, they restrict people and traffic from following unwanted driving practices while on the road. In this way, a smooth traffic flow can be managed.
- Restricted access to Parking and driveways: Parking bollards are an ideal choice when you want to restrict access to parking or driveways. For example, you can use retractable bollards to allow access in certain hours and ten restrict the access after that. They are flexible which makes them even more functional.
- Pedestrian Safety: Another great benefit of bollards is pedestrian safety. Bollards act like barriers on roads that help slow down and divert vehicles in areas with a high flow of pedestrian traffic. In this way, they help to ensure pedestrian safety by restricting vehicles from overspeeding.
- Preventing Theft: Ram raiding is becoming very common now. This is a type of practice in which thieves break through the glass windows or doors of malls, buildings, etc, along with their vehicles. They pick things, put them in the vehicle, and ran away immediately without the risk of being caught. Bollards have made it difficult for them. They restrict the access of vehicles near the glass windows or doors thus making it impossible to take the vehicle near the restricted area thus helping to prevent thefts.
IncreasingFunctionality of Parking Bollards
Some style options enhance the functionality of parking bollards. They are listed below:
- Increase Visuality: the first style option is to choose colors, design, and material wisely to enhance the visual appearance of the bollard. The more visual barriers it produces, the more functional it will be in controlling the traffic.
- Merge Modern with Traditional: Parking bollards are available in many style options. Some buildings have a traditional architecture, while others have a modern one. You can easily merge the traditional with the modern to create a more imposed visual deterrent.
- Use Decorations: Decorative bollards are also easily available in the market. It is not necessary that you cannot make a concrete bollard aesthetically pleasing. You can add decorative options with the type of bollard you want to install in a particular area. It will enhance the functionality by providing a pleasing aesthetic appeal.
- Illuminated Bollards: illuminated bollards are another way to increase functionality. They could be placed in areas with low lighting. Reflectors are used on bollards to illuminate them when the vehicle’s headlights shine on them. In this way, they will be more visual and prominent.
Conclusion
Parking bollards are a very useful tool for controlling and managing the traffic. They are also very helpful in providing vehicular and pedestrian safety. Properly installed and correctly placed bollards can be very functional in overall road safety.
