Planning and Installing Decorative LED Bollards In Streetscape Designs

Bollards can be installed either in-ground, set into a concrete footing below grade, or surface-mounted, bolted directly to an existing concrete or asphalt surface, with the right choice depending on soil conditions, traffic load, and the permanence of the installation.

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 Centers 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 safety role by serving as a visual pathway marker and a lighting fixture.

In areas of a city, park, or neighborhood with insufficient lighting, 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 is 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 far from vehicular traffic, but bollards still serve as a safety measure. Lighted bollards, generally with energy-efficient LEDs, improve visibility of the path ahead and the area underfoot when passing by.

These bollards are typically designed as decorative elements 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 residents in the country being older.

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, those with maximum light distribution in all directions and minimal 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 use is becoming more popular due to the environmental benefits, the health benefits, and the intentional streetscape designs that welcome bikes. Bollards are also used to shield bicyclists on roads with heavy vehicle traffic. Studies show that cyclists prefer separate bike lanes, which make them feel safer and increase the likelihood that people will take up cycling. Bollards are often used to identify these lanes. Unlike paint on the ground, these are much harder to overlook. The 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, serving functions ranging from security and wayfinding to 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’ school selection.

Bollard Installation Methods, In-Ground vs. Surface-Mounted

Once a bollard’s purpose and location are decided, the next question is how to anchor it to the ground. There are two main approaches, and the right one depends on site conditions, traffic load, and local code.

In-Ground Installation

In-ground bollards are set into a concrete footing below grade, typically in a drilled or excavated hole that is then backfilled with concrete around the base of the post. This method offers the strongest resistance to vehicle impact, since the load is transferred deep into the ground rather than relying on the surface alone. It is the preferred choice for high traffic areas, vehicle barriers, and any location where the bollard needs to stop or slow a vehicle rather than mark a boundary. In-ground installation does require excavation, so utility locates and soil conditions need to be checked before work begins.

Surface-Mounted Installation

Surface-mounted bollards bolt directly onto an existing concrete or asphalt surface using an anchor plate, without any excavation. This method is faster to install, easier to relocate later, and well-suited to sites where digging is impractical, such as over existing utilities or on a rooftop or parking deck. Surface-mounted bollards generally offer less resistance to vehicle impacts than in-ground models, so they are better suited to pedestrian wayfinding, lighting, and low-speed applications than to high-impact vehicle-barrier duty.

Site Preparation and Local Codes

Both installation methods require checking local building and electrical codes before work begins, particularly for LED bollards that need a power run to the fixture. Site conditions such as soil type, existing utilities, frost depth in colder climates, and ADA accessibility clearance around walkways all factor into which installation method and footing depth are appropriate for a given location. Your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) can confirm any specific requirements for your municipality.

In-Ground vs. Surface-Mounted Bollards at a Glance

Bollard Maintenance and Inspection

Whether in-ground or surface-mounted, LED bollards benefit from periodic inspection to ensure they continue to function as both safety devices and light sources. A basic routine includes checking that the LED light source is still functioning at full brightness, confirming that the base and anchor bolts (for surface-mounted units) or the concrete footing (for in-ground units) show no cracking or looseness, and clearing any dirt, mulch, or debris buildup that can dim the light output or trap moisture against the housing. Powder-coated aluminum housings, like the ones Brandon Industries uses, hold up well over time. Still, any scratches or damage to the finish are worth addressing before corrosion can set in.

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

Whether used 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 color temperature (CCT) and light distribution angle options.

Curious how that aluminum housing is made or finished? See, We Invested in Casting to provide the Highest Quality Products, and why powder-coated paint is far superior. If you need help planning your installation, find a Lighting Rep in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I choose an in-ground or surface-mounted bollard?

Choose in-ground for high-traffic areas or anywhere the bollard needs to stop a vehicle, since the below-grade footing provides stronger impact resistance. Choose surface-mounted when excavation is impractical, such as over existing utilities, on a rooftop, or on a parking deck, or when you need a faster install or the ability to relocate later.

Do bollard installations need to meet local codes?

Yes. Both in-ground and surface-mounted installations should be checked against local building and electrical codes, especially for LED bollards that require power. Your local authority having jurisdiction can confirm any specific requirements for your project.

How often should LED bollards be inspected?

A periodic inspection routine should verify that the LED light source remains at full brightness, that the base or footing shows no cracking or looseness, and that no dirt or debris buildup blocks the light or traps moisture against the housing.

Can a surface-mounted bollard stop a vehicle?

Surface-mounted bollards generally offer less impact resistance than in-ground bollards, so they are better suited to pedestrian wayfinding and lighting than to serving as a true vehicle barrier.

What are LED bollards made of?

Brandon Industries builds its LED bollards from aluminum with a polyester powder-coat finish, offering a choice of color temperatures and light distribution angles.