Why These Traffic Bollards On Queens Side of Roosevelt Island Bridge?

 Image From Judy Berdy

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy shares these pictures of the Vernon Boulevard side of the Roosevelt Island Bridge and asks:

What are these weird bollards at the Queens side of the RI Bridge?

Image From Judy Berdy

Transit Alternatives issued this report on:

RETHINKING BOLLARDS
HOW    BOLLARDS    CAN    SAVE LIVES, PREVENT INJURIES AND RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NEW YORK CITY

...Each year thousands of pedestrians are injured and hundreds are killed by motorists on New York City streets. As the population of the City increases, and especially as the number of senior citizens increases, there is no better time to implement basic engineering improvements that are proven to calm traffic and prevent crashes. While it may not be possible to put bollards on every block, there are many sensible places that could become standard locations to install them. Areas with high pedestrian volumes, high crash locations, high populations of senior citizens and along bus and truck routes should be prioritized.

Like speed humps and sidewalk extensions, bollards are an effective way to calm traffic and protect pedestrians....

As reported in this May 3, 2011 post, according to Streetsblog the Department of Transportation (DOT) is trying to make crossing 36th Avenue at the Roosevelt Island Bridge safer with pedestrian safety Islands but no information on the bollards.

UPDATE 7/18 - According to the DOT:

The bollards at the intersection of 36^th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard were installed by DOT's Traffic Division for the following reasons:

1.       Enhancement of pedestrian crosswalks at the intersection.
2.       Continuation of RI bridge roadway safety zones along the sidewalk and at south side of bridge roadway