Sinking Bollards

Rising Bollards in District V of Budapest

To ensure the safety of protected zones and controlled parking areas in District V, the Belváros–Lipótváros Public Area Supervision Authority has been operating rising bollards at multiple locations throughout the district since 2010.

The bollards installed by the authority serve not only as physical barriers, but also as deliberate traffic management tools. Their primary purpose is to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering streets and squares where access is restricted. This helps maintain traffic order, reduce congestion, and limit illegal parking.

The installation of rising bollards has significantly reduced traffic on the affected streets. Fewer passing vehicles create a quieter, safer, and more livable environment for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists. Unlike fixed barriers, rising bollards operate dynamically:

• They only rise when necessary,
• Only authorized vehicles may pass,
• Their operation is coordinated 24/7 by the duty and dispatch service.

This is particularly important during events, maintenance works, or temporary traffic changes. When not in use, the bollards retract into the ground, preserving the cityscape and freeing up space.

Based on feedback from district residents, the rising bollards have proven to be highly effective, with traffic in the affected streets radically reduced.

Locations of Rising Bollards:

• Aranykéz Street 4–6
• Galamb Street 2
• Gerlóczy Street 2
• Zrínyi Street (Nádor Street 7–8)
• Zrínyi Street, section facing the Danube
• Zrínyi Street 1 (Széchenyi Square)
• Cukor Street 1 (entrance)
• Cukor Street 7 (exit)
• Egyetem Square – Kecskeméti Street 1
• Városház Street 1
• Petőfi–Párizsi Street 1
• Szent István Square 12 or 9–11
• Hercegprímás Street 1 (entrance)
• Hercegprímás Street (exit, Szent István Square 1)
• Semmelweis Street 1–3

The rising bollards are clearly marked with warning signs. To pass, vehicles must approach within 1–2 meters to the marked line. The bollard’s position and movement can be monitored in the traffic mirror.

Pass only when the traffic light shows green.

The green light is displayed only when the bollard is fully horizontal.

The red light indicates stop, which occurs whenever the bollard is not horizontal. Passing in this case is strictly prohibited, even if the driver cannot see the bollard.

Only authorized vehicles with permits may enter areas protected by rising bollards.

Important: It is strictly prohibited to follow another vehicle through the bollard without permission, as it is extremely dangerous.

Vehicles must always approach the bollard exactly as described above.

The operation of the rising bollards is coordinated by our duty and dispatch service. For any questions, contact:

☎️: 061 872-7610 (available 24/7)
📧: ugyelet@belvaros-lipotvaros.hu