Roundabouts, or traffic circles, provide safe alternatives to stop signs and traffic lights. They require drivers to slow down, thus improving traffic flow in often-congested areas. The risk of collisions, such as head-on and t-bone collisions, is rare compared to traffic light and stop sign intersections. Roundabouts are also environmentally friendly because they reduce gas and diesel fuel consumption, as well as idling. Bollards are useful at roundabouts for numerous reasons—check out some of their top uses below.

Pedestrian Protection

Some traffic circles allow for foot traffic. To help protect pedestrians as they cross roundabouts, permanent bollards can be installed. Also known as high-security bollards, these bollards are installed at pedestrian walkway areas on traffic circles to provide barrier protection. Such bollards can stop vehicles going up to 50 miles an hour. Since most drivers in traffic circles go well under 50 miles an hour, bollards provide near- impenetrable barrier protection. This helps pedestrians cross safely and wait safely within the roundabout’s middle area. Pedestrians gain invaluable peace of mind when crossing.

Lane Adjustments

If a traffic circle lane needs work, bollards make it temporarily narrower. Removable bollards are the clear choice for temporary lane narrowing to keep drivers off of the road sections that need work. Removable bollards can be used in this way until the work on the road is complete. Since it is not advisable for workers to be in the roundabout with drivers, it is best for repairs to occur during “off hours,” such as during low-traffic times when alternate routes are available.

Public Art and Landscaping Protection

It’s not uncommon for the middle section of a roundabout to feature public works of art or assorted landscaped displays. Permanent bollards protect the art and landscaping from driver-related impacts. Bollards can be used to surround the perimeter of the middle section, which prevents distracted, drowsy, and intoxicated drivers from making contact. This avoids injuries in addition to property damage, such as injuries to the wayward drivers and any other drivers they hit. Using bollards in this manner also prevents damage to one-of-a-kind public art and the money and time it takes to replace the sculptures.

Bollards lend themselves to traffic-calming projects in many ways, not just roundabouts. They have many applications, all of which contribute to safer roads, highways, commercial settings, industrial settings, and more. Find the bollards you need today at 1800Bollards.