What is the purpose of a bollard?

The purpose of a bollard is to keep vehicles away from buildings. Bollards are short, sturdy posts that are often installed in urban environments and around various structures to provide physical barriers. They help to prevent vehicles from accidentally or intentionally driving close to buildings, which can enhance safety by reducing the risk of vehicle collisions and protecting pedestrian areas. This function is particularly important in high-traffic zones or locations where gatherings occur, as it helps create a safe buffer between vehicles and foot traffic, thereby mitigating the risk of potential attacks or accidents.

The other options refer to functions that bollards are not specifically designed to perform. For example, while bollards can influence parking patterns indirectly, their primary intent is not to enhance parking efficiency. Additionally, they are not designed for facilitating easy vehicle access, nor do they support security cameras, which may be mounted separately to enhance surveillance but do not relate directly to the purpose of a bollard.