Bollards vs. Jersey Barriers

Which is More Effective?

From bustling urban sidewalks to high-speed highways, safety barriers play a crucial role in managing vehicle traffic and protecting people and infrastructure. Two of the most common solutions are bollards and Jersey barriers. While both serve to prevent accidents and provide perimeter protection, they are distinct in their design, functionality, and applications.

The Importance of Barriers in Traffic Safety

The invention of the automobile brought immense convenience, but it also introduced significant risks. Engineers have developed numerous innovations—from airbags to crumple zones—to reduce the impacts of accidents. However, infrastructure also plays a pivotal role in preventing or mitigating crashes.

Traffic barriers are one such solution. These physical barricades act as a final line of defense to contain the force of vehicle collisions when other safety measures fail. The choice between bollards and Jersey barriers often depends on factors such as crash scenarios, traffic flow, aesthetics, and pedestrian access.

Comparing Bollards and Jersey Barriers

Both bollards and Jersey barriers are used to protect people, guide vehicles, and secure perimeters, but they differ in functionality and design.

What Are Bollards?

Bollards are short posts often installed in sidewalks, parking lots, or around buildings. They provide a barrier that stops vehicles while allowing free pedestrian flow, making them a common choice in urban and commercial areas.

Key Benefits of Bollards

• Permeability: Bollards allow pedestrians to move freely while restricting vehicle access, making them ideal for high-traffic pedestrian areas.
• Design Flexibility: Bollards are available in various styles, colors, and materials to match architectural aesthetics. Options include decorative, crash-rated, removable, and retractable bollards.
• Crash Protection: Crash-rated bollards can stop vehicles during head-on impacts, protecting buildings and pedestrians from accidents or intentional attacks.

Bollards are especially effective in spaces where aesthetics and pedestrian access are priorities, such as stadium entrances, public plazas, and storefronts.

What Are Jersey Barriers?

Jersey barriers are heavy-duty barricades typically made of steel-reinforced concrete or plastic. They are often used as highway medians or perimeter protection in construction zones to prevent vehicle crossovers and guide traffic. They are also sometimes used to demark lanes or channel pedestrians.

How did Jersey barriers get their name?

The modern Jersey barrier was developed in the 1950s, in New Jersey. The NJ State Highway Department asked a team of engineers to create barriers to prevent head-on crashes from opposing lanes. A twisting road near Jugtown Mountain was their test case. This stretch of roadway often caused fatal accidents due to drivers crossing over the center line. The Jersey barrier was therefore designed to minimize damage to vehicles that hit the barrier at a shallow angle—a side swipe accident. The engineering team tested barriers of different heights, materials, and slopes before settling on the standard steel-reinforced concrete barrier.

Interestingly, the concept of the Jersey barrier was inspired by work in California. The California Division of Highways was dealing with a busy, perilous stretch of the Ridge Route highway known as the “Grapevine Grade.” 6,500 vehicles used the road every day, twisting down a 6 percent grade. Wood-beam guardrails divided oncoming lanes, but these were ineffective in preventing the high fatality rate coming out of head-on collisions. California installed concrete barriers and then wrote about their success in the Engineering News-Record. They did no further research on the subject.

New Jersey took the idea and tested different shapes, concrete types, mounting, slopes, and heights. Gathering accident data made it clear barriers made a huge difference; in 1955 before barriers were installed, one region saw 15 serious head-on collisions in one year. After barriers like California’s were installed, there was only one such collision over the next 3-1/2 years.

Later development showed that a 32-inch barrier—13 inches higher than the ones in California—helped lower the rate and seriousness of head-on collision even more.

Key Benefits of Jersey Barriers

• Crash Mitigation: Jersey barriers are designed to redirect vehicles during shallow-angle sideswipe impacts, minimizing damage and keeping vehicles within their lanes.
• Durability: Reinforced concrete barriers are rugged and capable of withstanding high-speed impacts, making them ideal for highways and industrial settings.
• Traffic Channelization: Jersey barriers help create clear lanes for vehicles and pedestrians in temporary or permanent setups.

While functional, Jersey barriers are less focused on aesthetics and pedestrian permeability, often prioritizing traffic safety over visual appeal.

Bollards vs. Jersey Barriers: Side-by-Side Comparison

Choosing the Right Barrier for Your Needs

When deciding between bollards and Jersey barriers, it’s essential to consider several factors, including traffic type, crash scenarios, and the site’s specific requirements.

• Crash Scenarios:
  Bollards are designed for high-impact, head-on crashes, making them ideal for protecting buildings and pedestrian areas. Jersey barriers, on the other hand, excel at redirecting shallow-angle sideswipe collisions on highways.
• Traffic Flow:
  Bollards are well-suited for areas with mixed pedestrian and vehicle traffic, such as retail zones or public spaces. Jersey barriers are better for high-speed vehicle environments, such as highways or construction zones.
• Aesthetics and Design:
  Decorative bollards enhance the appearance of a site, blending seamlessly with architectural designs. Jersey barriers prioritize functionality, with an industrial look that is more suited to utilitarian applications.
• Temporary vs. Permanent Needs:
  Bollards offer flexibility with removable and retractable options for temporary use. Jersey barriers, being heavier and more permanent, are best suited for long-term applications.

Practical Applications of Bollards and Jersey Barrier

Bollards

• Protecting storefronts, public spaces, and pedestrian zones from vehicle collisions.
• Managing vehicle access while allowing pedestrian permeability.
• Enhancing urban aesthetics with custom designs.

Jersey Barriers

• Dividing highways to prevent vehicle crossovers and head-on collisions.
• Securing construction zones and creating temporary traffic lanes.
• Channeling traffic in industrial or high-speed environments.

Both bollards and Jersey barriers are indispensable tools in traffic management and safety. Their effectiveness depends on the specific application. Use bollards where pedestrian access, aesthetics, and protection from head-on impacts are crucial. Opt for Jersey barriers in high-speed environments where redirecting vehicles during shallow-angle crashes is the priority.

By carefully evaluating crash patterns, traffic flow, and design needs, planners can choose the barrier that best fits their safety goals.