To block off residential areas from nighttime traffic off of Sunset Boulevard and mitigate traffic from the Sunset Millenium Shopping Center, the City of West Hollywood has been using the same type of anti-terrorism bollards used by the federal government to stop car bombers at embassies. In West Hollywood, however, the bollards keep busy nighttime traffic from entering residential streets.
“Delta TT210 bollards were installed on Hammond Avenue 15 years ago,” says Sharon Perlstein, West Hollywood (Calif.) City Engineer, Department of Transportation and Public Works. “They have survived with little cost for restoration or repair. Over the years, the bollards have been hit by a several cars going 30 to 40 miles per hour.”
The TT210 vertical lift bollards from Delta Scientific can destroy the front suspension system, steering linkage, engine crank case and portions of the drive train of a 7.5 ton non-armored or non-tracked vehicle at 62 mph. They will also stop a 15 ton vehicle traveling at 44 mph.
During the day, the bollard systems are recessed and remain in the down position to let cars through. During the evening, they raise to keep cars off residential streets. Parking Enforcement raises and lowers the bollards with a key operation.
A second system was installed to mitigate traffic from the Sunset Millenium area, which includes a shopping center, hotel/retail section and retail/office area. In order to build the project, the developers were required to keep shoppers away from West Hollywood’s residential areas and needed to block off a street.
To do so, the developer, in consort with the city, decided to install the same model bollards on West Hollywood’s Alta Loma Road, turning the street into a cul-de-sac.
The West Hollywood Emergency Services Department was very concerned, however, and requested that the bollards be able to be lowered for emergency traffic, Perlstein says. In response, Delta created a system that responds to the sound of a siren by lowering the bollards. Parking Enforcement then re-raises them through a key operation.
LAPD Deploys Mobile Barriers
Just a couple bus stops from West Hollywood, the Los Angeles Police Department has deployed Delta’s self-contained MP5000 High Security Mobile Barricade Systems (pictured below) to protect its historic downtown Parker Center headquarters during times of heightened homeland security threat levels. The barricades, which can be towed into position to control vehicle access within 15 minutes, are also used for special events unique to Los Angeles, such as the Academy Awards, major sporting events, high-profile trials, or in the potential event of riots or natural disasters such as earthquakes.
When the homeland security threat alert rises, the LAPD’s secure perimeter expands several blocks. The barricades can be mobilized in response to a threat level change, creating a safe zone at the outer areas surrounding the Parker Center headquarters.
The barricade system does not require excavation or sub-surface preparation. Once positioned, the mobile barricade unpacks itself by using hydraulics to raise and lower itself off its wheels. A DC powered pump then raises or lowers the barrier.
