Energy Absorbing Bollards: Smarter Impact Protection
Protecting pedestrians and infrastructure from vehicle impacts requires more than a strong physical barrier. Effective protection depends on engineering, controlled energy absorption, and performance demonstrated through recognised crash-testing standards.
At Australian Bollards, our Australian-made AB-EAB Energy Absorbing Bollards are developed and manufactured with these principles in mind, combining innovative impact protection technology with internationally recognised vehicle safety requirements.
International Standards Behind EAB Bollards
Vehicle impact protection systems must be evaluated under controlled testing conditions to determine their effectiveness. International standards such as ISO 22343-1:2023, IWA 14-1:2013 and PAS 68:2013 provide established methods for assessing vehicle security barriers based on vehicle weight, impact speed, collision angle and penetration distance.
ISO 22343-1:2023 is the current international vehicle impact-testing standard, superseding IWA 14-1:2013 and PAS 68:2013. Products previously tested under these earlier standards retain their documented classifications.
Australian Bollards develops its AB-EAB range with reference to these international requirements and applicable Australian road safety standards, including AS/NZS 3845.
The AB-EAB65 has published impact classifications under IWA 14-1:2013 and PAS 68:2013, providing measurable evidence of its performance under specified crash-test conditions.
Australian Manufacturing and Engineering Excellence
Australian Bollards designs and manufactures its AB-EAB range in Australia, focusing on durability, structural performance and effective impact energy management.
Unlike conventional rigid bollards, the AB-EAB system incorporates a specialised energy-absorbing cartridge designed to deform progressively during a collision. This allows the system to absorb kinetic energy and decelerate an impacting vehicle rather than relying entirely on abrupt structural resistance.
Manufactured using galvanised steel components and engineered shock-absorbing materials, the bollards are designed for demanding Australian environments.
Product development considers structural integrity, energy absorption, material quality and foundation requirements. Maintaining consistency with the tested product configuration is essential to achieving the intended level of protection.
By combining Australian manufacturing with recognised crash-test specifications, Australian Bollards delivers engineered solutions supported by documented impact performance.
Proven Impact Performance: How Effective Are EAB Bollards?
The effectiveness of Energy Absorbing Bollards is demonstrated through controlled vehicle impact testing.
The Australian Bollards AB-EAB65 has published classifications demonstrating its ability to stop a 1,700 kg vehicle travelling at 65 km/h at a 90-degree impact angle, with a reported penetration classification of 0.0 metres.
These results, documented under IWA 14-1:2013 and PAS 68:2013, demonstrate the system's vehicle-stopping capability under its specified test conditions.
The energy-absorbing design helps manage collision forces while providing a protective barrier between vehicles, pedestrians and infrastructure. Unlike ordinary traffic guidance bollards, crash-tested EAB systems provide documented evidence of vehicle impact resistance.
However, actual performance also depends on vehicle characteristics, impact conditions, foundation design and correct installation.
Built to Absorb, Designed to Protect
As Australian infrastructure continues to evolve, selecting protective systems supported by recognised engineering standards and crash-test performance is increasingly important.
Its appearance or material strength does not simply determine a bollard's effectiveness, but by how it performs when subjected to vehicle impact forces.
Through Australian manufacturing, energy-absorbing technology and documented international crash-test classifications, Australian Bollards continues to deliver AB-EAB solutions designed to improve pedestrian safety and protect valuable infrastructure.
Explore our Energy Absorbing Bollards and discover smarter vehicle impact protection for your next project.
Keep it Safe. Keep it Local. Keep it Australian Made.