In 2016, during a Bastille Day parade in Nice, France, an ISIS-inspired assailant used a 20-ton truck as a weapon along the crowded Promenade des Anglais to kill 86 and wounding 434 people. While explosives have traditionally been the weapon of choice used by terrorists, more and more, vehicles are being used as weapons to target, kill and injure pedestrians — striking with concussive force. A significant security issue, vehicle-ramming attacks are unpredictable; they use ordinary, readily available vehicles as a weapon of terror. Targeting crowded pedestrian public spaces (soft targets) as opposed to symbolic political building sites (hard targets); the result is a devastating impact in crowded places with low levels of visible security.
While these ramming attacks have increased in recent years, so have the mitigation strategies and protective measures used to prevent them. “There are multifaceted approaches to addressing the threat of vehicle-ramming attacks, combining technological innovations, strategic planning, public awareness, and specialized training to enhance security and resilience against such incidents,” says Al Evan, CEO at Security Pro USA, Los Angeles.
Developments and Practices
Capt. Noah Pickholtz, head of international sales and business development at EL-GO Team, Cleveland, stresses that physical security doesn’t happen in a bubble. “It needs to marry form and function. Increasingly, business and civilian infrastructure is moving toward integrating physical security outside buildings coupled with access control and surveillance systems inside and around building perimeters.”
Several areas that are increasingly exploring and implementing HVM (hostile vehicle mitigation) solutions are sports stadiums, religious institutions and commercial zones looking to prevent ramming attacks.
In addition, Pickholtz says a dual-goal initiative is creating more pedestrian-only zones, which keeps vehicles at a greater distance from sensitive locations while increasing the beauty and green footprint of areas. “Increased awareness and educating the public on the threat of vehicle-ramming attacks and how to respond in such situations is driving significant changes in the worldview of individuals and institutions. [This finds] a balance between implementing effective security measures and maintaining accessibility and functionality of public spaces.”
Protective Strategies and Measures
Physical security measures, including bollards, wedges, road blockers, arm barriers and planters can create a physical buffer zone around vulnerable areas. But recent mitigation strategies and protective measures for vehicle-ramming attacks go beyond physical barriers, so security specialists, architects, engineers, and first responders are encouraged to adopt a multi-layered security approach to mitigate vehicle-borne threats.
Reinforcing building entrances and façades can withstand vehicle impact. “Incorporate ‘crime prevention through environmental design’ (CPTED) principles, such as limiting vehicle access points, using landscaping to create natural barriers, and optimizing visibility for surveillance,” Pickholtz says.
“Similarly, restricting access to sensitive areas to only authorized vehicles and personnel, by implementing security checkpoints, gates and automated license plate recognition can help.”
Conduct regular drills and training exercises to prepare staff and security personnel for potential attacks. Pickholtz believes by combining these strategies, communities and organizations can significantly reduce the risk of vehicle-ramming attacks and enhance overall security. “It’s important to note that no single solution is foolproof, and a multi-layered approach is crucial for effective mitigation.”
Tools, Technology and Products
Implementing crash-rated vehicle barriers is now a standard security measure to counteract vehicle-ramming attacks. These barriers, engineered to withstand impacts from vehicles of varying sizes and velocities, are critical in safeguarding high-risk areas. They’ve become more effective, adaptable and aesthetically-pleasing solutions to protect public spaces and critical infrastructure from ramming attacks.
“Barriers with an ASTM M50-P1 rating are designed to halt a 15,000-pound truck traveling at 50 mph, limiting the vehicle’s penetration into secure zones to less than 3 feet,” Evan says. “Such robust barriers are indispensable for the protection of critical infrastructure, government facilities and public gatherings, ensuring a high level of security against potential vehicular threats. Fixed bollards can be designed to blend into the environment, providing both security and aesthetic value. Modular barriers often prioritize functionality and rapid deployment, which might result in a more utilitarian appearance. These options provide a range of solutions to meet different security needs, from permanent installations to flexible, rapid-response deployments.”
Hydraulic retractable bollards, which can remain invisible until needed, are increasingly being integrated into perimeter security solutions. Adding an EFO (Emergency Fast Operation), which can raise the bollards in 1 to 2 seconds, can add an additional level of protection.
“Sliding bollards, like EL-GO Team’s Metis, are able to offer a turnkey, low- or no-dig installation, thus enabling the installation of crash-rated physical security solutions to locations that previously couldn’t due to spatial or digging restrictions,” says Pickholtz. “This all-in-one system has a fully electric actuator and control panel built into the unit, further eliminating the need to install additional external pieces. Mobile barriers are portable barriers that can be quickly deployed to protect temporary events or areas with changing security needs. They are often used for crowd control and traffic management. Crash-rated planters and street furniture, while not specifically designed for anti-ram protection, can be reinforced and strategically placed to create a natural barrier against vehicles.”
Summerfield, N.C.-based Barrier1 Systems showcased a range of crash-rated vehicle barrier systems at the International Security Conference and Exposition (ISC) West 2024. Their products include:
EntraQuick PU 30 High-Security Folding Gate: This gate is crash-rated to stop a 5,070-pound. vehicle traveling at 30 mph. It is designed for high-security areas and can be quickly erected.
Avenger M50 Surface Set Drop Arm Barrier: An electric crash-rated barrier that can stop a 15,000-pound. vehicle traveling up to 50 mph. It’s suitable for critical infrastructure like nuclear facilities and can be set up quickly without in-ground installation.
Nautilus Rise Retractable Bollard: An automatic, hydraulic bollard with built-in LED lights, designed for high-security applications such as police stations and military bases.
Burnet, Texas-based Gibraltar Perimeter Security’s G-5000 Series Anti-Ram Crash Gates are customizable and crash-rated from M30 to M50, capable of stopping a 15,000-pound vehicle at speeds up to 50 mph. They are ideal for military bases, airports, power plants, and other sensitive areas. The G-5500 model is their highest crash-certified gate, tested to ASTM F2656-07 M50 P2 standards.
These solutions operate best work integrated with surveillance systems, access control, and automated license plate recognition to enhance security and provide real-time monitoring of potential threats.
High-Tech Tools
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in collaboration with the Chicago Police Department, has developed an advanced web-based tool to support law enforcement and critical infrastructure stakeholders in assessing vulnerabilities to vehicle-ramming attacks. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, this tool analyzes vehicle speeds and identifies high-pedestrian zones, especially around sensitive locations, that are more susceptible to vehicle accidents or intentional attacks. It helps in pinpointing potential risks, prioritizing them based on their severity, and formulating tailored mitigation strategies. Additionally, this tool offers comprehensive resources on barriers, crowd management, and considerations for high-speed approaches, enhancing overall security planning and execution.
“The concept involves using AI to analyze vehicle speeds and identify open areas with high pedestrian traffic that are particularly vulnerable to vehicle accidents or intentional attacks,” Evan says. “This analysis is crucial for locations near sensitive buildings, where the risk of such incidents is elevated.”
AI-powered analytics can detect unusual behavior, such as a vehicle circling a crowded area. License plate recognition (LPR) systems can automatically scan and record license plates of vehicles entering certain areas. “This data can be cross-referenced with databases of stolen or suspicious vehicles,” Pickholtz says. “Drones equipped with cameras can provide aerial surveillance of large areas, potentially spotting unusual activity that might go unnoticed from the ground. It’s important to note that while these technologies can be helpful, they also raise privacy concerns. Striking a balance between security and privacy is crucial. However, technology alone cannot prevent all attacks.”
Predicting Them and Cracking Down
There are signs and indicators that might suggest a potential vehicle-ramming attack is being planned. For example, security cameras footage observing individuals taking pictures and videos of potential target areas, particularly crowded areas or places with limited physical security.
Pickholtz believes suspicious people or vehicles repeatedly visiting or loitering around potential targets without a clear reason should not be ignored. “However, it’s important to note that these signs are not definitive proof of an attack, and individual behaviors may have innocent explanations. Nonetheless, if you see something suspicious, say something. One person’s vigilance can help prevent a tragedy.”
How are governments cracking down on those that commit vehicle-ramming attacks? Governments are introducing stricter laws and harsher penalties for individuals convicted of using vehicles as weapons. This includes longer prison sentences and potential life imprisonment for those who cause death or serious injury. In cases where vehicle-ramming attacks are linked to terrorism, individuals may face additional charges related to terrorism offenses, which can carry even more severe penalties.
Despite of the availability of advanced technologies, terrorists are still able to carry out vehicle-ramming attacks. No security system is foolproof; each has their strengths and weaknesses.
“Terrorist groups are constantly evolving their tactics and strategies to circumvent new security measures,” Pickholtz says. “For example, terrorists will look to exploit vulnerabilities in surveillance, target areas with less security, or use methods that haven’t been accounted for in security protocols. In some cases, individuals with access to secure areas may help terrorists bypass security measures or provide them with information about vulnerabilities.”