So, let's think through this topic a little bit and generate some questions for you about your facility. And, as a bonus, you'll find below our free In-House Physical Security Risk Assessment Considerations Guide to get you started thinking about considerations you may not have thought about before.
As the need for pedestrian safety continues to rise, the use of bollards as a security measure has become increasingly popular. Bollards are sturdy vertical posts that can prevent vehicles from entering restricted areas, such as pedestrian zones, sidewalks, and public spaces.
Here are 10 considerations for bollards to stop vehicles from encountering pedestrians.
Purpose: The first consideration should be the purpose of the bollards. Are they intended to prevent accidental collisions, deter terrorist attacks, allow emergency services access like fire engines, or simply to control or prevent normal vehicular access to a pedestrian zone?
Traffic flow: The placement of bollards should consider the traffic flow in the area. This includes the number of vehicles, the direction of traffic, size of vehicles, and the speed of the vehicles.
Pedestrian access: Bollards should not restrict pedestrian access to the area. There should be a clear path for pedestrians to move through the area without obstruction.
Emergency access: Emergency vehicles should be able to access the area in case of an emergency. Bollards should be placed in such a way that they can be quickly removed or lowered to allow emergency access.
Visibility: The visibility of the bollards is critical. They should be visible to drivers approaching the area, so they are aware of the restriction and can adjust their driving accordingly without a last minte change in direction.
Materials: Bollards can be made from a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, and plastic. The material chosen should be durable and able to withstand impact from vehicles of desired sizes and speeds.
Height and spacing: The height and spacing of bollards should be carefully considered. They should be tall enough to prevent vehicles from entering the area, but not so tall as to be a visual obstruction.
Lighting: Bollards should be adequately lit, so they are visible at night. Lighting can also help to create a visual barrier that deters vehicles from entering the area.
Maintenance: Bollards should be regularly maintained to ensure they are in good condition. This includes cleaning, painting, repairing any damage, and verifying that they raise and lower properly or can be unlocked and moved in an emergency.
Aesthetics: Finally, the aesthetics of the bollards should be considered. They should be visually appealing and complement the surrounding architecture and landscape while still functioning as intended in design.
In conclusion, the placement of bollards is an important consideration for pedestrian safety. By taking into account the purpose, traffic flow, pedestrian access, emergency access, visibility, materials, height and spacing, lighting, maintenance, and aesthetics, bollards can be an effective security measure that enhances the safety and functionality of public spaces.
Security professionals are constantly looking for innovative ways to secure their facility and provide a safe environment within their budget. And, they are also constantly looking for resources to help them achieve that mission while expert advice is hard to come by.
Fortunately, we have released a considerations guide that will help security professionals perform their own in-house security risk assessment.
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What's Inside? This guide is intended to assist you with performing an in-house physical security risk assessment. In many cases, assistance from a third-party expert, like Theseus Professional Services, is required. Identification of missing or inadequate physical security measures that safeguard assets (people, property, and information) and critical business functions is of paramount importance. The findings of a security risk assessment are used to measure and communicate the level of risk to the organization.
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