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Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers
**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 the right security measures in place, you can effectively stop these vehicles in their tracks, protecting your people and property. In this guide to hostile vehicle mitigation, we’ll explore some of the most effective ways 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
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**What Is a Vehicle as a Weapon Attack?**
Car crashes happen frequently, and while many are accidental, some are intentional acts of violence or terrorism. These are referred to as vehicle-as-a-weapon (VAW) attacks. A VAW attack involves using a vehicle to harm people or property, often with lethal consequences. According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the most common type of vehicle-based attack in the U.S. is vehicle-ramming, where attackers intentionally crash their vehicles into crowds, buildings, or other vehicles.
The severity of VAW attacks can vary greatly. While some incidents result in significant casualties, others may be less deadly but still cause severe property damage. For instance, in 2020, there were 42,060 fatal car crashes in the U.S., averaging over 115 daily. In most cases, these were unintentional accidents, but when individuals deliberately use their vehicles as weapons, the outcomes can be catastrophic.
Take, for example, the tragic incident in Nice, France, during the summer of 2016, where a vehicle-ramming attack killed 86 people. Such events highlight the importance of implementing robust protective measures to prevent hostile vehicle attacks.
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**How to Prevent Vehicle Attacks**
Architects, engineers, and property owners should be aware of the risks posed by VAW attacks and take proactive steps to mitigate these threats. The term for these security measures is hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM). There are two primary approaches to preventing hostile vehicle attacks:
1. **Campus Design:**
One method is designing roads and pathways to make it harder for vehicles to accelerate or access restricted areas. This might involve curving access roads or adding sharp turns near entrances. While this approach can be effective, especially in newly constructed environments, it doesn't eliminate the need for physical barriers.
2. **Physical Barriers:**
The most commonly used solution is installing physical barriers like bollards, crash-resistant fences, and anti-ram gates. These barriers are designed to stop vehicles from breaching secure zones, even at high speeds. Whether you're working on a new project or retrofitting an existing structure, physical barriers are a reliable way to enhance security.
While neither campus design nor physical barriers can completely eliminate the risk of hostile vehicle attacks, they significantly reduce the likelihood of success if an attack occurs.
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**What Are Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers?**
Physical barriers play a critical role in defending against VAW attacks. These barriers are often referred to as hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) barriers. The force generated by a vehicle depends on its mass and speed. For instance, a typical SUV weighing around 5,000 pounds can exert immense force if driven at high speed toward a building. Larger vehicles, like semi-trucks, amplify this danger exponentially. Therefore, it's essential to have barriers strong enough to withstand such impacts and prevent vehicles from penetrating secure areas.
HVM barriers are often inconspicuous, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. For example, bollards may appear decorative or architectural, while crash fences might be disguised as regular fencing. In contrast, some barriers are explicitly designed for security purposes, such as anti-ram gates that clearly signal restricted access.
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**How Are Vehicle Security Barriers Tested?**
To ensure effectiveness, HVM barriers undergo rigorous crash-testing. Key testing standards include:
- **US DOS/DOD K Ratings:** Although no longer officially recognized, these ratings (K4, K8, K12) indicate a barrier's ability to stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 30, 40, or 50 mph.
- **ASTM F 2656:** This standard provides more detailed criteria for measuring penetration depth.
- **BSI PAS 68:** A key U.K. standard that specifies the types of vehicles and speeds a barrier can handle.
- **IWA 14:** An international standard defining essential impact performance requirements.
For a deeper dive into crash ratings, check out our guide [Understanding Crash Ratings](#).
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**Types of Vehicle Mitigation Barriers**
HVM barriers come in various forms, broadly categorized as active or passive barriers:
1. **Active Barriers:**
Designed to deploy or retract as needed, these barriers control access points. Examples include drop-arm crash beams, which raise and lower to allow or deny entry. Active barriers can operate manually, hydraulically, or electromechanically.
2. **Passive Barriers:**
These remain permanently in place to protect perimeters. Common passive barriers include walls, fences, and bollards.
Most properties benefit from a combination of active and passive barriers for comprehensive protection. Let’s explore some specific options.
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**1. Crash-Rated Planters**
Traditional planters often lack the strength needed for high-security facilities. However, HVM planters combine aesthetic appeal with robust protection. For instance, the Universal Slimline Planter 40 from TYMETAL Corp. is strong enough to stop a 7.5-ton vehicle traveling at 40 mph. On the surface, these planters look like elegant landscaping features but are actually reinforced concrete structures.
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**2. Crash Beams**
Ideal for access points, crash beams are stronger versions of standard barrier gates. Made from durable materials like aluminum and steel, they anchor securely in concrete bases. TYMETAL offers crash beams capable of withstanding collisions from vehicles traveling up to 50 mph. Depending on your needs, these beams can operate manually, hydraulically, or electromechanically.
Explore our selection of [Crash Beams](#).
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**3. Bollards**
Bollards are cylindrical posts spaced to allow pedestrian access while blocking vehicles. They come in removable and fixed varieties and are made from materials like steel or concrete. Fixed bollards are deeply embedded for maximum crash resistance, while TYMETAL’s shallow-mount designs offer flexibility without sacrificing strength.
Our most robust bollard model can stop a 16,534-pound vehicle traveling at 50 mph. Learn more about our [Crash Bollards](#).
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**4. Crash Fences**
Standard fences aren’t built to withstand vehicle impacts. Crash fences, however, are specifically designed to stop vehicles, not people. These fences typically consist of posts or bollards connected by cables. When a vehicle collides with the fence, its energy dissipates, halting the vehicle before it can advance further.
Discover our range of [Crash Fences](#).
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**5. Crash Gates**
Gates are a common feature of restricted-access properties, but ordinary gates won’t stop a determined attacker. Anti-ram gates, on the other hand, are engineered to resist vehicular impacts. TYMETAL offers cantilever slide gates, overhead slide gates, and swing gates, all available in crash-rated models.
Check out our selection of [Crash Gates](#).
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**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 utilities
- Banks
- Sports arenas
- Parks and public spaces
Even non-critical locations like shopping districts and bike paths can benefit from HVM barriers to protect pedestrians.
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**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, we deliver top-tier HVM solutions. Contact us today through our [online form](#) or call us at 888-978-GATE (4283) to learn more.
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