Big Loader,6 Ton Wheel Loader,Wheel Loader For Sale,Front End Wheel Loader Shandong Yineng Heavy Industry Co.,Ltd , https://www.yinengloader.com
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers
If someone tried to drive onto your property without stopping for fences, gates, or pedestrians, how far would they get? With proper security measures in place, you can stop these vehicles in their tracks, protecting both your people and property. In this guide on hostile vehicle mitigation, we'll explore some of the most effective measures you can take to defend against vehicle attacks.
**Table of Contents:**
What Is a Vehicle as a Weapon Attack? | How to Prevent Vehicle Attacks | What Are Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers? | How Are Vehicle Security Barriers Tested? | Types of Vehicle Mitigation Barriers | HVM Applications | Choose TYMETAL For Your Next HVM Product
---
**What Is a Vehicle as a Weapon Attack?**
Unfortunately, vehicle-related accidents happen frequently, with devastating consequences. In 2020 alone, there were 42,060 fatal vehicle crashes in the U.S., averaging over 115 crashes per day. While most crashes are unintentional, there has been a concerning rise in intentional vehicle attacks over the past decade. These attacks, also known as vehicle as a weapon (VAW) attacks or hostile vehicle attacks, involve using a vehicle to harm people or property.
The most common type of VAW attack in the U.S. is vehicle-ramming, where a vehicle is deliberately driven into another vehicle, a building, or a group of people. One of the deadliest vehicle-ramming attacks occurred in Nice, France, in 2016, where a driver intentionally drove into a crowd, resulting in 86 deaths and numerous injuries. Although not all VAW attacks are as severe, they often lead to fatalities and significant property damage. Some attackers aim to disrupt operations within a building, while others engage in vandalism or acts of terrorism.
---
**How to Prevent Vehicle Attacks**
Architects, engineers, and facility owners need to be aware of the potential for VAW attacks and implement measures to protect buildings and people. These protective measures are collectively referred to as hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM). There are two primary approaches to mitigating the risk of a hostile vehicle attack:
1. **Campus Design:** Designing roads to make it harder for vehicles to accelerate and enter pedestrian zones or buildings. This might involve curving access roads or placing sharp turns just before entrances. While these design choices can help, they should be supplemented with physical barriers.
2. **Physical Barriers:** The most popular method for HVM is installing physical barriers such as bollards, crash fences, and anti-ram gates. These barriers are designed to stop vehicles from entering restricted areas, even if they're speeding directly toward the barrier. Physical barriers can be implemented during new construction or retrofitted into existing structures.
While these measures won't eliminate the possibility of a determined attacker, they will slow down or completely stop an attempted attack when properly deployed.
---
**What Are Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers?**
Physical barriers are one of the most effective ways to protect pedestrian areas and buildings from VAW attacks. These barriers are also called hostile vehicle mitigation barriers.
When considering the physics of motion, the force exerted by a vehicle depends on its mass and speed. An average SUV weighing 5,000 pounds can generate immense force if it collides with a structure at high speed. Larger vehicles, like semi-trucks, pose even greater risks. To ensure safety, barriers must be strong enough to absorb or redirect this force effectively.
You've probably encountered HVM barriers in public spaces like college campuses, government buildings, and city streets without realizing it. In public areas, barriers often appear as decorative bollards. In private settings, barriers might take the form of fences or anti-ram gates designed to block unauthorized vehicle access.
---
**How Are Vehicle Security Barriers Tested?**
To ensure their effectiveness, HVM barriers undergo rigorous crash testing. Here are some of the key standards to consider:
- **US DOS/DOD K Ratings:** Although no longer officially recognized, K ratings (K4, K8, K12) indicate a barrier's ability to stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 30, 40, or 50 miles per hour, respectively.
- **ASTM F 2656:** This standard replaces older DOS and DOD ratings in the U.S. and provides more detailed measurements of penetration.
- **BSI PAS 68:** The British Standard PAS 68 is a global benchmark for HVM products, specifying the vehicle type and speed a barrier can withstand.
- **IWA 14:** This international standard outlines essential impact performance requirements for vehicle security barriers.
For a deeper dive into crash ratings, check out our guide on Understanding Crash Ratings.
---
**Types of Vehicle Mitigation Barriers**
HVM barriers come in various forms but fall into two main categories:
1. **Active Barriers:** Designed to deploy and retract based on access permissions. Examples include drop-arm crash beams that block entry until authorized personnel provide credentials.
2. **Passive Barriers:** Always present, these barriers guard perimeters where vehicle entry is prohibited. Examples include walls, fences, and bollards.
Most properties require a combination of active and passive barriers for comprehensive protection. Let’s explore some common HVM solutions:
1. **Crash-Rated Planters:** These planters blend security with aesthetics, doubling as attractive landscaping features. The Universal Slimline Planter 40 from TYMETAL can stop a 7.5-ton vehicle traveling at 40 mph.
2. **Crash Beams:** Also known as anti-ram beams, these barriers resemble parking garage arms but are reinforced for durability. Available in manual, hydraulic, and electro-mechanical models, they can stop vehicles traveling at speeds up to 50 mph.
3. **Bollards:** Cylindrical posts spaced to allow pedestrian access while blocking vehicles. Fixed bollards are permanent installations, while removable ones pivot or retract when needed. TYMETAL offers shallow-mount bollards that require less installation depth but maintain high crash resistance.
4. **Crash Fences:** Unlike regular fences, crash fences are designed to stop vehicles. These fences typically consist of posts or bollards connected by cables and are often used alongside traditional fences for enhanced perimeter security.
5. **Crash Gates:** Standard gates aren’t enough to deter determined attackers. Crash-rated gates from TYMETAL are available in various designs, including cantilever slide gates, overhead slide gates, and swing gates, ensuring secure access points.
---
**HVM Applications**
HVM barriers are vital for securing a wide range of facilities, including:
- Airports
- Government buildings
- Border stations
- Schools and universities
- Data centers
- Public utility stations
- Banks
- Sporting arenas
- Parks and public spaces
Even public areas like shopping districts and bike paths can benefit from HVM barriers to protect pedestrians.
---
**Choose TYMETAL for Your Next HVM Product**
If you’re looking to enhance your property’s security, partner with TYMETAL. With years of expertise and a commitment to innovation, TYMETAL delivers top-tier HVM solutions. Learn more about how we can assist you by filling out our online form or calling us at 888-978-GATE (4283).
**Share:**
Help spread awareness about HVM barriers! Share this post on [Facebook](#), [Twitter](#), or [LinkedIn](#).
**Latest TYMETAL News:**
Stay updated with the latest in security innovations! Check out our recent articles below:
1. **How the Chemical Industry is Bolstering Security Post-CFATS Expiration**
Learn how the chemical industry is adapting to enhanced security measures following the expiration of CFATS regulations.
2. **Choosing the Right Security Gate for Your Industrial Facility**
Explore key factors to consider when selecting a security gate tailored to your industrial needs.
3. **Meet the TYMETAL Team at GSX 2024**
Join us at the Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2024 to connect with security experts and discover cutting-edge solutions.
---
Ready to fortify your property’s defenses? Contact TYMETAL today to safeguard your space against hostile vehicle threats.