Decorative LED Bollards In Streetscape Designs

The bollard has evolved from tree trunks to vertically buried cannons to the ubiquitous modern-day safety and design fixture where pedestrians and vehicle traffic intersect. The word bollard was first used in the 14th century and referred to a “hard tree trunk.” Eventually, the term bollard became associated with mooring boats and, eventually, a structure to protect pedestrians.

Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, but they are not always safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that tens of thousands of pedestrians are injured by vehicles annually. Thousands of these occur when a vehicle enters a space designed for pedestrians.

Lighted Bollards Are More Than Just Barriers

Many bollards are simple concrete or steel posts that serve a singular purpose: to stop a vehicle from entering a pedestrian or otherwise restricted space. However, the bollard has expanded its role in safety by becoming a visual pathway marker and a lighting fixture.

In areas of a city, park, or neighborhood lacking sufficient light, vehicle, scooter, motorcycle, and bike operators may misjudge turns or intersections, leading to potential accidents. LED Bollards can help people clearly see the path and protect pedestrians.

LED bollards are increasingly installed on school and university campuses, offices, government buildings, commercial buildings, airports, and residential areas. Let’s look at how installing these bollards are making our lives safer.

Safety Bollards Move Beyond Just Streets

As communities embrace more green space for parks and recreation, walkways, jogging paths, and bike trails are increasingly popular. Long stretches of these pathways are not close to vehicular traffic, but bollards still serve as a safety device. Lighted bollards, generally with energy-efficient LEDs, enable better visibility of the path ahead and the area underfoot when passing nearby.

These bollards are typically designed to be a decorative element within the green space. They are now available as solar power bollards that enable installation without disrupting nature to lay electrical lines.

Lighted Bollards As Visual Cues For Drivers

The United States population is aging. The median age increased from 30 in 1980 to almost 40 in 2022. It is projected that by 2040, the number of Americans who are 65 and older will reach 80 million. This aging trend will result in one in five of all residents in the country.

Generally, seniors have trouble driving in low-light conditions. Construction of retirement villages and communities designed for seniors is surging. Suppose you live in or around a community with a considerable aging population. In that case, you might have heard of people driving over the curb or grass, leaving tire tracks, or struggling to operate their automobiles safely.

In addition to streetlights, these communities can benefit from LED bollards. While there are various types of LED bollards, the ones with maximum light distribution in all directions and minimum glare are ideal. These help the curbs and walkways remain illuminated at night and make the road boundaries visible to seniors.

Bike Lane Markers Using LED Bollards

In many locations, bicycle utilization is becoming more popular due to the environmentally friendly results, the health benefits, and the intentional streetscape designs that welcome bikes. Bollards are also used to shield bicyclists on roads with a high volume of vehicles. Studies show that cyclists prefer separate lanes marked for bikes, making them feel safer and increasing the chances of people taking up cycling. Bollards are often used to identify these lanes. Unlike paint on the ground, these are much harder to overlook or ignore. Bright LEDs on these bollards mean you can’t miss them even on overcast days or at night.

LED Bollards For Security And Wayfinding On Campuses

Modern colleges, and in many cases, high school campuses, have beautiful designs that blend architecture and nature. These sprawling collections of streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and pathways require a broad set of requirements to be fulfilled. The LED bollard is an essential design component, from security to wayfinding, cohesive styling, and energy efficiency.

In 2012, the American Association of University Professors observed in a Campus Sexual Assault report that proper lighting is an effective way to deter crime and increase safety on campuses. Campus safety is a factor in most families’ selection of a school.

Choose The Right Streetscape Partner For Your Projects That Include Lighted Bollards

Whether using integrated LED bollards to direct traffic, protect pedestrians, enhance streetscapes, or highlight pathways, LED bollards are lighting the way for a brighter future. Brandon Industries offers a variety of aluminum, polyester powder-coated LED bollards with the choice of color temperature (CCT) and light distribution angles.

Author:

Brandon Hall – Owner, Brandon Industries