Drive-Thru & ATM Bollards: Spec Guide (2026)

Bollards for Drive-Thru Lanes and ATMs

Drive-thru and ATM lanes share a specific risk profile: low-speed approach, distracted drivers, expensive equipment exposed at the order point, and (at ATMs) cash machines that have been the target of vehicle ramming attacks for cash extraction. The bollard specification that fits this risk profile is well-defined: ASTM F3016 low-speed crash rating, careful sight-line management, and protection on both the approach and the equipment side. This page lays out the design logic, code references, and install patterns Cojo uses across Oregon banks, credit unions, and QSR chains.

Quick Answer: What Specifies a Drive-Thru or ATM Bollard?

A drive-thru or ATM bollard is a low-speed crash-rated post installed at the order point, ATM cabinet, or lane entry to stop pedal-misapplication strikes and equipment-extraction ramming attempts. Standard specifications use ASTM F3016 (10 mph or 20 mph) low-speed crash rating, 36-inch minimum height above grade, retroreflective banding for night visibility, and careful sight-line placement that does not block the order-board or transaction window from the driver's view.

Why Are Drive-Thru and ATM Bollards Specified?

• Pedal-misapplication strikes. QSR drive-thrus see thousands of low-speed approaches daily, with drivers distracted by orders, payment, and food handoffs. Strikes against order boards, cabinet equipment, and pedestrian curbs are routine. The Federal Trade Commission has documented vehicle damage at QSR drive-thrus as a recurring consumer-safety topic (FTC consumer reports).
• ATM ram-raid attacks. ATM ramming for cash extraction is a documented commercial crime pattern. The FBI tracks ATM-targeted property crime nationally (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center).
• Equipment cost. A pickup-truck strike on an ATM cabinet or order-board can run $30,000 to $80,000 in equipment damage and downtime. A pair of F3016 bollards runs a fraction of that.

What Code References Govern Drive-Thru and ATM Bollards?

Code	Section	Relevant content
ASTM F3016	Full	Low-speed crash rating (10/20/30 mph at 5,000 lb)
ADA Standards	307, 403.5	Protrusion limits, 36-inch path-of-travel
NFPA 1 / IFC	503	Fire-apparatus access if drive-thru shares a fire lane
Insurance underwriter requirements	Varies	Often specifies F3016 (10 mph) minimum at ATMs
Bank or QSR brand standards	Varies	Major chains specify finish, height, and placement

Most major bank and QSR chains have published brand-standards documents that specify the bollard installation pattern (height, finish, spacing). We follow the brand standard exactly because deviation triggers re-do orders (NIST low-speed barrier reference).

Which ASTM F3016 Rating Fits a Drive-Thru?

Speed rating	Vehicle class	Common application
F3016 (10 mph)	5,000 lb at 10 mph	ATM cabinets, drive-thru order boards, pickup window
F3016 (20 mph)	5,000 lb at 20 mph	Drive-thru lane entry, parking lot to drive-aisle transition
F3016 (30 mph)	5,000 lb at 30 mph	Lane entry from public street

The 10 mph rating is the most common spec for ATM cabinets and order points. The 20 mph rating fits lane-entry positions where vehicles approach from a parking aisle. See our ASTM F3016 explained reference for the standard's history and our crash-rated bollards page for product comparisons.

How Should Drive-Thru and ATM Bollards Be Marked?

• Color. Powder-coated brand color (most chain standards) with retroreflective banding. Banks typically specify dark colors with white retroreflective; QSR brands specify yellow or red bollards.
• Height. 36 inches above grade -- visible to drivers but not blocking the transaction window or order display.
• Spacing. 4 to 6 feet center-to-center across an approach path; pair-wise (one on each side of the cabinet) at ATMs.
• Sight-line check. Bollard placement must not block the menu board or order display from the driver's seat at typical approach distance. We verify by sitting in a representative vehicle during the site walk.

What Did Cojo's Last Drive-Thru Install Look Like?

In October 2025 we installed 6 ASTM F3016 (10 mph rating) bollards at a 4,800 square foot Gresham bank branch drive-thru near East Powell Boulevard. The job included 4 bollards at the ATM lane (paired protection on each side of the cabinet, plus 2 at the lane entry) and 2 at the drive-thru order point. Footings ran 36 inches with epoxy-coated rebar cages per the manufacturer's certified drawing. Bollards were finished in the bank's powder-coated dark green with white retroreflective banding at the top 6 inches. Field time: 1.5 days, 2-person crew. We worked overnight to keep the drive-thru open during banking hours.

How Much Do Drive-Thru and ATM Bollards Cost?

Industry Baseline Range

Bollard Type	Installed Price (each)
6-inch concrete-filled steel pipe (non-rated)	$400 to $1,200
ASTM F3016 (10 mph) low-speed crash	$1,200 to $2,500
ASTM F3016 (20 mph) low-speed crash	$1,500 to $3,000
ASTM F3016 (30 mph) low-speed crash	$2,000 to $3,500
ASTM F2656 K4 crash-rated	$1,500 to $4,000

These figures reflect published industry averages. Current market pricing varies significantly and actual quotes may fall well outside these ranges based on site-specific conditions, material costs, and project complexity.

Current Market Reality

Drive-thru and ATM bollard pricing in 2026 runs above baseline because chain standards specify F3016-rated product on most new and renovated locations, removing the cheaper non-rated option. Lead times: F3016 (10 mph) 4 to 6 weeks, F3016 (20 mph) 5 to 7 weeks, F2656 K4 6 to 10 weeks. After-hours scheduling at active drive-thrus typically adds 15 to 25 percent labor premium. See our bollard installation cost reference for full line-item breakdowns.

What Are the Design Considerations?

• Sight-line preservation. The driver must see the menu, the order display, the payment window, and the pickup window. Bollards must be placed so they do not block any of these from typical approach distance.
• Pedestrian path. ATMs serve walk-up customers as well as drive-up. The walk-up path needs ADA-compliant clearance (Section 403.5: 36 inches minimum) between bollards.
• Lane width preservation. F3016 bollards take a footing that does not encroach on the lane stripe. We coordinate with commercial striping to verify the lane geometry stays compliant.
• Snow and salt exposure. Bollards along drive-thru curb lines see plow strikes and salt exposure. Galvanized steel under powder coat extends life by 5 to 10 years.

Which Drive-Thrus and ATMs Need F3016 Bollards?

Most major bank and QSR chains specify F3016 minimum on new builds and renovations. For older locations without rated bollards, an upgrade is recommended when:

• The location has a documented strike history (more than 1 in the past 5 years).
• Insurance underwriter requires upgrade at renewal.
• Brand standards have updated (most major chains have updated since 2020).
• Equipment is being replaced (new ATM cabinet, new order board).

Get a Drive-Thru or ATM Bollard Quote

Cojo installs F3016-rated and F2656-rated bollards at banks, credit unions, and QSR drive-thru and ATM locations across Oregon. Every quote includes sight-line verification, ADA review, and after-hours scheduling. Contact Cojo for a site walk; ATM and order-board bollards usually pair with the rest of our parking lot services on the same mobilization.

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