Australian Bollards - Protecting critical infrastructure and saving lives
Australian Bollards has proudly and frequently partnered with Yarra Trams to supply and install our Energy Absorbing Bollards (EABs) at multiple tram stops throughout Melbourne. Engineered to save lives, these bollards work to efficiently and effectively stop collisions between cars and pedestrians, cyclists, and trams, protecting people and critical infrastructure.
Trams have a long and storied history in Melbourne, with the first line starting operation in 1889. However it was in 1906 onwards when trams started to be truly adopted throughout the city, with the opening of several new lines. As of 2022, there are 24 tram routes in Melbourne, and light rails have commenced operation in several cities across states throughout the country, including the Gold Coast (QLD), Canberra (ACT), Adelaide (SA), and Sydney (NSW), showing increasing acknowledgement of the utility trams provide.
But despite their benefits, trams do pose dangers, particularly when cars are involved. In Melbourne between 2014 and 2018, 77 people were seriously injured as a result of collisions between vehicles and trams; in 2018 alone there were over 1,100 collisions between motorists and trams. Not only do these collisions result in serious injury, but they also damage critical infrastructure - trams - that are vital to the everyday functioning of cities, causing delays and suspensions of services and impacting the lives of thousands.
The expanding adoption of trams in busy cities across Australia, and statistics such as these, show the importance of taking preventative measures to reduce occurrences of collisions between trams and motor vehicles.
Australian Bollards have several EABs that are designed to halt vehicles varyingly weighing from 1.6 to 1.7 tonnes traveling at varied top speeds, from 20 to 65 kilometres per hour, allowing for the appropriate use of the EABs in both low and high speed areas. However, rather than being designed to be completely immovable in the face of a collision with a car, AB-EABs are designed to bend with the impact of a vehicle, absorbing the kinetic energy and decelerating the vehicle to a safe stop. Through this, passengers of the vehicle are kept safe as the bollard absorbs the energy of the collision rather than the car, while the vehicle’s front is lifted up the bollard’s frame, pushing the passengers away from the dashboard and significantly reducing their risks of injury and fatality.
The ability of the bollard to keep passengers of errant vehicles safe like this can be afforded to its sub-surface mounting in an energy absorbing cartridge, filled with VVH Grade Polystyrene foam. The bollards also come in an aesthetically pleasing yet strong and durable galvanized steel and powder-coated finish, and come in both fixed and removable versions, making them adaptable to any specific needs.
Another option available for providing an even higher level of security for critical infrastructure and people are our PAS 68 Shallow Mounted Bollards, which we have supplied and installed at VicRoads centres across Victoria. The bollards are able to halt vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes heavy at speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour, with their purpose of people and asset protection making them the ultimate defence for hostile vehicle mitigation. Coming in a 304 grade stainless steel sleeve, the bollard is sleek and unobtrusive, well suited to urban environments while being highly corrosion resistant. Its shallow mounting makes for easy installation, convenient especially in built-up areas where installing deeper-mounted EAB’s may not be possible.
As tram networks continue to appear and grow in cities and states across Australia, Australian Bollards is able to offer a number of options to help protect this critical infrastructure and save lives, helping people both in vehicles and trams travel safely.
For more information, visit our website or contact us on +613 9459 3488.