Bollards
ASTM F3016 Crash-Rated Bollards: 10/20/30 MPH Guide
Cojo
May 7, 2026
6 min read
ASTM F3016 is the low-speed crash-test standard for vehicle-access bollards in environments where the threat profile is 10, 20, or 30 mph -- meaningfully different from the high-speed F2656 standard's 30, 40, and 50 mph testing. F3016 uses a 5,000-lb vehicle (typical passenger SUV) versus F2656's 15,000-lb medium-duty truck, which makes the standard appropriate for ATM enclosures, drive-thru lanes, school pickup zones, and lower-risk commercial perimeters. Cojo specified F3016 S30 bollards on a Eugene credit-union ATM enclosure in February 2026 because the threat assessment was vehicle-into-ATM accidental contact at parking-lot speeds, not high-speed ramming. This guide explains how F3016 works and when to use it.
For category context, see our What Are Bollards hub. For the high-speed companion standard, see ASTM F2656 Bollards Guide. For drive-thru applications, see Bollards for Drive-Thru Lanes.
ASTM F3016 is the Standard Test Method for Surrogate Testing of Vehicle Impact Protective Devices at Low Speeds published by ASTM International. It was first published in 2014 and revised through 2020.
The standard defines:
A bollard, planter, or barrier that survives the live-fire crash test at the specified speed earns an F3016 certification at that S-rating.
The two standards cover different threat profiles. The differences matter because spec'ing the wrong one wastes money or under-protects the site.
| Element | F3016 | F2656 |
|---|---|---|
| Test vehicle weight | 5,000 lb | 15,000 lb |
| Test vehicle class | Passenger SUV/pickup | Medium-duty truck |
| Test speeds | 10, 20, 30 mph | 30, 40, 50 mph |
| Rating system | S10, S20, S30 | K4/K8/K12, M30/M40/M50 |
| Penetration classes | Single measurement | P1, P2, P3 |
| Typical application | Drive-thru, ATM, parking-lot, school | Federal facility, embassy, high-security |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
F3016 has three speed-based test classes:
S10-rated bollards stop a 5,000 lb vehicle at 10 mph. Typical applications:
S10 is the lowest crash rating available under F3016 and the entry point for any "crash-rated" specification.
S20-rated bollards stop a 5,000 lb vehicle at 20 mph. Typical applications:
S20 is the most common F3016 specification we see in Oregon commercial work.
S30-rated bollards stop a 5,000 lb vehicle at 30 mph. Typical applications:
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices references typical urban-arterial and parking-lot speeds that often fall in the S30 range.
The decision is threat-driven. Three questions guide the choice:
For most commercial parking-lot, drive-thru, ATM, and school-zone applications, F3016 is the correct standard. F2656 is overspec'd for those threat profiles.
Like F2656, F3016 certifications are configuration-specific. The certificate covers the exact tested configuration:
Field installation must match the tested configuration. Modifications void the certification.
F3016 bollard costs run roughly 40 to 70% of equivalent F2656 bollards for the same site protection.
Foundation requirements drive most of the savings. F3016 testing uses lower vehicle mass at lower speeds, so the certified foundations are shallower and require less reinforcement.
For maintenance after install, see our bollard curb stop painting service guide. For Eugene-area work where Cojo handles a lot of credit-union and ATM bollard installs, see Bollard Installation Eugene. For school-specific applications, see Bollards for Schools and Pedestrian Safety.
F3016 ratings are not appropriate for:
For those applications, the additional cost of F2656 certification is justified by the threat profile.
ASTM F3016 is the right standard for most commercial bollard procurement -- ATM enclosures, drive-thru lanes, school zones, and standard parking-lot protection. Cojo specs and installs F3016 S20 and S30 bollards across Oregon, including ATM and drive-thru installations for credit unions, banks, and QSR chains. Contact Cojo for an F3016 specification review.
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