29/11/2010

LEAFIELD Reflex Bollards, helping save lives & money!

Use of Heritage Reflex Bollards from  LEAFIELD Environmental (Formally known as Linpac Environmental)on an innovative road traffic scheme in Hull is helping to reduce injury related accidents and costs.

Between 1st May 2002 and 30th April 2007, 22 injury accidents involving 38 casualties were recorded at the junction of the Holderness Road and Southcoates Avenue. Of these injury accidents, 16 involved drivers making a right turn manoeuvre.

Whilst the simple answer to the problem would have been to permanently close the access across the junction, in this case this was not possible as the local East Hull Fire Service needed that access for attending emergencies.

Faced with this difficult situation, Streetscene Project Development Team Manager Gary Horth, supported by LEAFIELD developed the innovative solution of using LEAFIELD Reflex Bollards to prevent access for the general public across the junction. This type of special bollard is sufficiently solid to deter the public but will also flex when enough force is applied; in this case by a Fire Engine. The strength and flexibility of the material enables the bollard to bend over and allow the emergency vehicle to drive over the top. Once clear, the bollard immediately springs back to an upright position to remain in service. In trials, bollards continued to perform after 50 ‘hits’.

The cost to install the new scheme has been under £20,000 and the benefits have been immediate. Only a single accident has been recorded in the last year and if this were to continue, the savings to the community would be over £1million in a five year period due to the high costs associated with resolving injury related accidents.

A case study and video have been produced showing the simplicity and effectiveness of the scheme which is expected to be of interest to authorities responsible for maintaining occasional access to emergency vehicles whilst still restricting public access.

For your copy please download the case study here or call our Customer Services Team on 01225 816500.