Technology and Security for Bardolino's Limited Traffic Zone: Pilomat Controls Access to the Heart of the Town

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, Bardolino is one of the most popular destinations on the Riviera degli Ulivi. Its compact historic centre welcomes residents and visitors every day and is home to numerous shops, restaurants and accommodation facilities. In this setting, managing vehicle traffic plays a particularly important role in preserving the quality and accessibility of public spaces.

With this in mind, the municipality introduced a new system to control and regulate access to the Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ), entrusting Pilomat bollards and barriers with the automated management of vehicle access points.

The creation of the LTZ responds to requests from residents, shopkeepers and tourism operators to make the streets of the historic centre safer and more peaceful. The initiative was preceded by a public consultation. During the operating period, generally 24 hours a day from March to October, access is restricted to residents, businesses and hospitality operators, people with disabilities and electric vehicles, subject to prior vehicle registration through the online portal.

The three Pilomat 275/P 600A automatic bollards are strategically positioned around the area most frequented by residents and tourists: along the lakefront, protecting the square in front of the marina, and on the main access road to the town centre, preventing unauthorised heavy vehicles from entering to carry out loading and unloading operations at any time of day.

Vehicle access is automatically controlled based on the authorisations registered in the digital management system. Through a link on the Municipality of Bardolino's website, users can submit requests for permission to enter the pedestrian area, which are then processed through Pilomat's P-Connect platform.

Once an authorisation has been linked to a vehicle's registration plate, access requires no further action: cameras recognise the approaching vehicle and automatically lower the bollard cylinder to allow it to pass. A dedicated acoustic siren recognition system ensures immediate access for emergency services and law enforcement vehicles.

The entire system can also be managed and monitored remotely by the Local Police and the Municipal Technical Department through the P-Connect web platform, which provides tools for scheduling, monitoring, data storage and analysis. Alongside this centralised management system, authorised users can also operate the Pilomat 275/P 600A bollards locally using enabled remote controls or a smartphone app.

Due to their proximity to the lake, all Pilomat 275/P 600A bollards are equipped with watertight foundation boxes and submersible pumps, ensuring reliable operation even during heavy rainfall or when water infiltrates the surrounding ground.

The other access points to Bardolino's LTZ are protected by a Pilomat City Gate, combining a planter with a movable sliding barrier designed to blend discreetly into the urban landscape of pedestrian areas, and five Pilomat 275/RM 600 removable bollards. Ideal for locations with infrequent vehicle access, these bollards define the perimeter of the square where the weekly market takes place.

Pilomat 275/P 600A automatic bollards, City Gate sliding barriers and 275/RM 600 removable bollards provide effective, professional solutions for a wide range of vehicle access control requirements, improving both the safety and accessibility of urban spaces.

The Municipality of Bardolino selected Pilomat 275/P 600A automatic bollards to manage vehicle access and enhance pedestrian safety in the historic centre. Powered by an integrated hydraulic unit, the bollard's impact-resistant cylinder rises from the road surface, creating a physical barrier capable of stopping vehicles, even when travelling at speed.

The Pilomat 275/P 600A has successfully passed rigorous tests, demonstrating an impact resistance of 40,000 J without deformation, verified and certified by TÜV Rheinland, and an impact energy resistance of 200,000 J. It is also officially approved by the Italian Ministry of Transport for vehicle access control in public areas.

Securely anchored to the ground, the foundation unit houses the steel cylinder (275 mm in diameter and 600 mm above ground) together with the power supply, hydraulic operating system and control equipment. The foundation box is manufactured from stainless steel-clad steel to ensure maximum strength and protection, while the cylinder is also available in a more corrosion-resistant version made from painted AISI 316 stainless steel (6 mm wall thickness), selected for Bardolino's historic centre.

The high raising speed (16 cm/s) and lowering speed (30 cm/s) allow the bollard to become fully operational within seconds. The hydraulic operating system ensures maximum reliability, even under intensive use of up to 2,000 cycles per day and in all weather conditions, thanks also to an optional heating system for cold climates.

The Pilomat 275/P 600A is equipped with a complete range of visibility and warning devices: a 55 mm reflective band at the top of the cylinder, an acoustic warning signal, a flashing light with 25 LED light points and two-aspect traffic lights (red and green). Operation can be easily controlled both locally and remotely through the dedicated control unit.

A wide range of control options is available, including a security key switch, proximity card reader, radio remote control, telephone call, programmable timer and smartphone app. Inductive loop detectors identify the presence of vehicles, while an acoustic siren detection system, complete with an emergency break-glass button, allows emergency vehicles to pass.

The electrical power supply (IP67 protection rating) can be either 230 V single-phase or 400 V three-phase at 50/60 Hz. The system can also be powered by a UPS to ensure continued operation during temporary power failures.

Standard safety features include an automatic movement reverse function to prevent accidents and an emergency automatic lowering function. The hydraulic power unit is integrated into the bollard and can be supplied with biodegradable hydraulic oil (>60% according to OECD 301B).