Traffic Barrier Technology

How Bollards Protect Docks and Water Sport Areas

Post by Trafficguard Mar 29, 2016 12:00:00 AM · 2 min read

The phrase “heavy traffic” suggests paved roads for cars or bikes, but waterways are known for being heavily trafficked, as well. This is particularly true in areas where people commute to work via ferry or other boat, or places where water sports are a big tourism draw. In fact, bollards were invented for the purpose of helping dock boats along quaysides. The original bollards were decommissioned cannons planted in the dirt. Today, their use has expanded to include commuter safety on city streets, fire safety, wheelchair assistance and more.

Bollard Use and Safety

Today, bollards are used both on ships and land to increase dock security. Ships use them to secure ropes or assist during storms. On land they serve a variety of purposes. Bollards designed specifically to assist ships are shaped like mushrooms so rope can be fastened in a loop around the metal and tightened without worry of the line slipping free. Newer bollards in high-traffic areas have lights installed to help define the shore at night and in times of poor visibility. Bollards must be designed to help keep boats from slipping free of the docks. Visibility is also an issue, so pedestrians and bicycles are not in danger of going over the dock side. Dock bollards help provide control at the water’s edge. Unprotected docks are at risk of drivers losing control or attached tows breaking between a carrier vehicle and a boat. Removable traffic bollards are great for providing access in times of need or emergency. They lock into a fixed location, and can be removed when a boat needs towing from the water or supplies lowered to a passing vessel. Permanent bollards (or fixed) are usually located at the end of very high, concrete docks.

Variations

Safety manufacturers have improved on the bollard design in various ways to reduce cost and improve versatility. Many suppliers have a plethora of shapes and sizes. Newer bollards are subjected to temperature and durability testing for accidental overloads, damage to the docks, and easy inspections. In Poland, a program was launched by the Port Authority to increase handling capacity and dock length control. New bollards, fenders and quays are being installed that are resistant to sharp temperature drops, reflective and infused with steel and other materials to increase stopping power. They also feature friction pads for docked vessels. The Royal Wharf in London has built berms into the dock infrastructure. These are based off of bollards. They are metal intertidal terraces that not only serve as a safety feature for dockside traffic, but also protect marine life. This is part of an effort by the U.K. to increase the ecological value of dock protection structures. Their construction is also meant to be visually appealing, using timber and stylized, weather-resistance steel to enhance the waterfront profile. The berms include pedestrian safety features, like unfolding ladders, navigation markers, and a more delicate protection against boats to keep the vessels relatively safe. Aruba has installed fender plates that work with bollards and other safety features to protect marine life. In addition to mooring bollards, the structure utilizes rescue ladders, pit curbs, and other features to cut costs while increasing safety. These upgrades are considered critical for Aruba’s economy and tourism industry. For more information on how you can use bollards for marinas and docks, get in touch with a TrafficGuard Direct representative today. To see additional benefits that bollards can provide, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Name: 10 MPH Fixed Embedded Bollard – 304 Stainless, #4 Brushed Finish [RFP 5560R S S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 10 MPH Fixed Embedded Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [RFP 5560R S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 10 MPH Removable Bollard – 304 Stainless, #4 Brushed Finish [HL 2005 S S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 10 MPH Removable Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [HL 2005 S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 20 MPH Fixed Bollard – Stainless [RFP 8660R S S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 20 MPH Fixed Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [RFP 8660R S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 20 MPH Removable Bollard – Stainless [HL 2008 S S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 20 MPH Removable Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [HL 2008 S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 30MPH Fixed Embedded Bollards [RFP 8660RH S30] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 30MPH Fixed Stainless Bollards [RFP 8660H S S30] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 30 MPH Helix Lock Removable Bollards [HL 2008H S30] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 30 MPH Stainless Removable Bollards [HL 2008RH S S30] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2002S] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2002] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Round Post Top Lock [TL1002] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2002SL] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2002L] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Round Post Top Lock [TL1002L] Category: Parking Bollards Type: Removable Name: Round Post [HRP] Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Single Post [LPHDHB] Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Double Post Screw Lock [DHB-SL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Double Post [DHB] Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Single Post [HDHB] Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Two-Way Collapsible Bollard 36″ (2636) Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Two-Way Collapsible Bollard 36″ (2436) Category: Security Bollards Type: Collapsible Name: Stainless Fixed Posts - RFP3560RS Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Embedded RFP Series - Model RFP3560R Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Surface Mounted 3.5" OD [RFP3536RS] Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Stainless Fixed Posts - RFP4560RS Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Embedded RFP Series - Model RFP4560R Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Surface Mounted 4.5" OD [RFP4536RS] Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Stainless Fixed Posts - RFP6660RS Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Embedded RFP Series - Model RFP6660R Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Surface Mounted 6.625" OD [RFP6636RS] Category: Security Bollards Type: Fixed Name: Round Post Lock - Model RPL3S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Round Post Lock Series [RPL3] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Round Post Lock - Model RPL4S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Round Post Lock Series [RPL4] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Round Post Lock - Model RPL6S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Round Post Lock Series [RPL6] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2003S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2003] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1003R] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3503S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3503] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Drop In - Model RP3501S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Drop-in Series RP3501 Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT3501S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT3501] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2004S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2004] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1004R] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock High Security Series [TL1004HS] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3504S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3504] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Drop In - Model RP4501S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Drop-in Series RP4501 Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT4501S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT4501] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2006S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2006] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock High Security Series [TL1006HS] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1006R] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3506S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3506] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Drop In - Model RP6601S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Drop-in Series RP6601 Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT6601S Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT6601] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2003SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2003L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1003RL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3503SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3503L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT3501SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT3501L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2004SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2004L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1004RL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock High Security Series [TL1004HSL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3504SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3504L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT4501SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT4501L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock - Model HL2006SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Helix Lock Series [HL2006L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock High Security Series [TL1006HSL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Top Lock Series [TL1006RL] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Key Lock - Model RP3506SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Key Lock Series [RP3506L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Twist In - Model RPT6601SL Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non Locking Twist-in Series [RPT6601L] Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Non-Locking Deter-a-Post^TM (4536 P) Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Helix Lock Removable Bollards (4536 HL) Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Locking Removable Deter-a-Post™ (4536 PL) Category: Security Bollards Type: Removable Name: Replacement Lids Category: Storage Racks & Accessories Type: Name: Removable Bollard Storage Rack Category: Storage Racks & Accessories Type: Name: Helix Locking Filler Piece Category: Storage Racks & Accessories Type: Name: 10 MPH Core-In Fixed Embedded Bollard – 304 Stainless, #4 Brushed Finish [CIF 5560 S S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 10 MPH Core-In Fixed Embedded Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [CIF 5560 S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 10 MPH Core-In Removable Bollard – 304 Stainless, #4 Brushed Finish [CIR HL2005 S S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 10 MPH Core-In Removable Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [CIR HL2005 S10] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 20 MPH Core-In Fixed Bollard – Stainless [CIF 6660 S S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 20 MPH Core-In Fixed Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [CIF 6660 S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Fixed Name: 20 MPH Core-In Removable Bollard – Stainless [CIR HL2006 S S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: 20 MPH Core-In Removable Bollard – Carbon / Powder Coated [CIR HL2006 S20] Category: Crash-Rated Bollards Type: Removable Name: S10 Impact Rated Lighted Bollard Category: Lighted Bollards Type: Name: S20 Impact Rated Lighted Bollard Category: Lighted Bollards Type:

How Bollards Protect Docks and Water Sport Areas

Bollard Use and Safety

Variations

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