Downtown city streets are about to get an upgrade with the installation of 17 retractable metal bollards on Union Avenue and Market Street. This move, aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety during special events, will also contribute to city efficiency and the visual appeal of the downtown area. “Right now, the City uses standard barricades that can be moved to block the streets, but the bollards pop up out of the ground and lock into place, fully preventing any vehicles from entering the pedestrian zone,” Deputy Chief of Operations Chip Barry explained in a statement obtained by the City of Knoxville's news release.
The installations are not only a stronger and safer option for pedestrians but also more pleasing to the eye than the billboard-sized barricades they're replacing. “The Market Square pedestrian zone is one of our busiest pedestrian intersections, and being able to get rid of the large barricade equipment will allow people to see cross street traffic and ensure pedestrian safety when moving through the city,” as told by Barry to the City of Knoxville news release.
Furthermore, the retractable bollards come with the advantage of being quicker and easier for city employees to operate. This efficiency means that streets will need to be closed for less time before and after special events, reducing the inconvenience to traffic and nearby businesses. As quoted from the City of Knoxville's news release, "Because the bollards are quick and easy for City employees to pop up and take down, streets will be closed for a shorter duration before and after special events."
While the bollards are deployed as a means of security during city events, their design was considered with city aesthetics in mind: they stand discreetly when not in use, subtly merging with the urban landscape. Barry emphasized their duality, noting the simultaneous enhancement of safety and aesthetics in the city's news release.
