How Bollards Strengthen Security Against Vehicle Ramming Attacks

The increasing urbanization has made the bollard industry undergo rapid expansion. Heightened security needs, such as vehicle-ramming prevention, structured traffic, and crowd control, lead to the growth of automated car bollards.  Enhancing the functionality, design, and safety of modern smart city infrastructure is the prime concern of every owner. To achieve this goal, the integration of innovative, retractable, and automated bollards is widely practiced. 

Due to the tightening regulatory frameworks and increased government focus on public safety, the organizations are under growing pressure to install bollards to safeguard high-risk and traffic areas.

Did you know the global market for bollards, which stood at USD 3 billion in 2024, is expected to reach over USD 5 billion by 2031?

From protecting people to property, the bollards play a vital role across a wide range of industries. The bollards come in various forms, each designed to prevent unauthorized vehicle intrusion and ramming attacks.  The application spans from securing critical infrastructure, including airports, government offices, and military zones, to commercial buildings. 

Have you ever heard of using vehicles as weapons? A sharp rise has been seen in the alarming form of attacks widely executed by terrorists, extremists, and any other violent offenders who are using ordinary vehicles as a tool of destruction. 

In this blog, we break down what ramming attacks are, why bollards are essential for defense, how and where they should be installed, success stories of prevention, and what the future holds for bollard innovation.

What Are Vehicle Ramming Attacks?

The vehicle ramming attacks are, in simple terms, defined using vehicles as weapons of terror.  In the past years, it’s been witnessed that the terrorists are harming or killing crowds by deliberately ramming cars into them. The attacks have increased significantly due to the devastating potential. As far as the motives of the attacks are concerned, there can be varied and often complex reasons behind them. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes of vehicle ramming: 

1. Online radicalization is a key factor in pushing individuals towards vehicle ramming. Moreover, extremist propaganda promotes such activities due to its accessibility and effectiveness in inflicting mass harm and spreading fear. 
2. In some instances, the vehicle ramming doesn’t stem from political motivations. Instead, it results from poorly managed mental health conditions reflecting a deeper systemic gap in mental healthcare and crisis intervention. 
3. The impulsive and emotionally driven actions of the isolated individuals lead to ramming as a tool for venting frustration and enacting revenge. 
4. Limited means of conventional weapons or increased surveillance are other reasons for opting for vehicle ramming as a low-cost and high-impact alternative. 

The Importance of Car Park Bollards in Urban Spaces

Are car park bollards simply restricted to their basic function of traffic control? 

Well, with modernization, it has evolved beyond and is nowadays widely integrated into urban environments, supporting an efficient vehicle flow. In addition, from protecting pedestrians and property to enhancing the visual appeal, it balances everything. In urban areas, the car park bollards have become an essential safety infrastructure. 

The automated barriers and bollards market has been experiencing significant growth, and its market share is expected to reach $1.73 billion in 2025. 

The simple barriers are no longer considered capable of creating safe, smarter, and beautiful urban environments. The smart technology-based car park bollards ensure the safety and guiding movements, aiming to reshape the urban landscapes today. 

Take a look at the significance of deploying bollards: 

• Visible Boundary Between Vehicles and Road Users: In order to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists, the bollards are installed to act as the first line of defense against accidents on sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks.  The strategically placed bollards prevent cars from entering pedestrian zones, alert drivers, indicate about misjudged turns, and mitigate dangers that occur due to distracted driving. 
• Protects Physical Infrastructure: Installing bollards is crucial in areas where there is a high pedestrian footfall. Moreover, the bollards protect valuable properties that are vulnerable to impact damage.  They offer a passive defense system against vehicle ramming attacks and other kinds of crashes at public squares, government buildings, and other critical infrastructure.
• Delineate Driving Lanes: Bollards simplify managing traffic flow by guiding the movement and organizing space in urban areas. Using bollards, the owners can make entry and exit points and protect parking pay stations, plus electric charging points. 
• Flexible Control for Different Situations: These short and sturdy posts are designed for urban planning and property management to easily fix, remove, and retract. It helps owners to secure areas most of the time and keep them open for service or emergency when needed. 

‍Installation Strategies for Maximum Protection

Installing bollards is a strategic process that depends on the site's purpose, surface type, and security requirements. Whether permanent, semi-permanent, or removable, each bollard must be installed with the proper technique, spacing, and surface treatment to achieve long-term safety, accessibility, and design.                

• In-Ground Installation: For high-security and high-impact areas, In-ground bollards are the preferred choice. These types of bollards are well-known for their exceptional stability and durability.  To carefully position and align the bollard in place, the installation involves digging a hole as per the required depth and width.  After that, the cavity is filled with concrete to create a solid, long-lasting anchor once it cures. The in-ground bollards are generally installed in government buildings, banks, and other critical infrastructures where strong vehicle impact resistance and reliable perimeter protection are essential.
• Surface-Mounted Installation: If you want to install bollards without digging a hole, then go for surface-mounted posts.  You can directly bolt them onto existing concrete or paved surfaces.  The process involves cleaning and marking the area, drilling anchor holes, securing the bollard with heavy-duty bolts, and finishing with sealants for protection. These are mostly installed on urban sidewalks, parking lots, and commercial entrances where a clean look and minimal surface disruption are essential.
• Removable Bollards: Places like driveways, emergency routes, and event spaces are ideal locations to install removable bollards due to their adaptable security control. These are installed using underground sleeves with a locking mechanism. These bollards can be easily locked in place or removed, as occasional vehicle access is required. 

For safety, accessibility, and effective traffic control, always ensure that the bollards are correctly spaced. To allow easy pedestrian movement while preventing vehicle intrusion, these should be placed 4 to 5 feet apart. Spacing may be tightened for restricted zones and widened for public walkways, with consistent alignment maintained for both functionality and visual appeal.

Real-Life Examples of Attack Prevention

From protecting pedestrians in crowded areas to safeguarding government facilities, bollards have demonstrated their effectiveness by stopping vehicle-based threats, accidental crashes, and criminal break-ins. Cities across the globe have adopted high-security bollards after tragic incidents. Here are a few examples of bollards playing a vital role in real-life security: 

Preventing Vehicle-Ramming Attacks

• In Times Square, New York, over 200 heavy-duty steel bollards were deployed following a 2017 attack to protect public plazas. 
• London reinforced bridges and landmarks with anti-ram bollards after similar events.
• Melbourne deployed and later artistically transformed concrete barriers to safeguard pedestrians in busy areas.

Stopping Accidental and Criminal Intrusions

• In Auburn, Washington, bollards stopped a reckless truck from plowing into a donut shop. 
• In Northborough, UK, a metal bollard prevented a car from hitting a store, saving a nearby infant. 
• Security cameras in a Washington mini-mart even captured a bollard preventing a profound tragedy when a truck reversed toward a child. 

Securing Sensitive and High-Risk Areas

• Airports, military bases, and government buildings rely on K-rated and crash-tested bollards to prevent unauthorized vehicle entry and safeguard people and property. 
• Their installation surged after major security incidents like the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11, underscoring their role as a frontline defense against vehicular threats.

‍Future Trends in Bollard Technology

Along with perfectly aligning with smart city infrastructure, the bollards are intelligently responding to changing environments and user needs.  The security of urbanization is in safe hands due to the availability of customizable, tamper-proof, contactless, low-maintenance, and aesthetically adaptable safety solutions. The deeper integration with AI and IoT systems, allowing centralized monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making for more intelligent traffic and perimeter management. 

Take a look at the emerging trends in the bollard technology: 

• AI & IoT Integration: Smart bollards with AI and IoT integration enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and centralized control for smart city use.
• Data Intelligence: Analytics-driven insights improve performance tracking, security management, and operational efficiency.
• System Connectivity: Seamless integration with cloud-based security and access platforms ensures unified and automated control.
• Sustainable Power: Solar-powered and advanced hydraulic systems reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
• Cost Efficiency: Energy-efficient designs minimize maintenance and operational expenses over time.
• Customizable Designs: Bollards can be tailored to specific environments, aesthetics, and protection levels.
• Contactless Operation: Automated, touch-free systems promote hygiene and streamlined access in modern urban spaces.

‍Conclusion

Today's hi-tech bollards are serving as intelligent, adaptable, and sustainable defense systems by remaining at the forefront of urban security. Park Master is an Australia-based leading provider of smart car bollards that are integrated with AI, IoT, and eco-friendly technologies to cater to the safety needs of denser cities encountering complex vehicle-based threats.  From preventing ramming attacks to managing traffic and protecting infrastructure, the role of our bollards continues to expand across sectors.
‍
If you want to strengthen urban resilience and protect people and property from ramming attacks and thefts, then customize and order your car bollard with us today.