Recent vehicle ramming attacks in New Orleans and Germany have reignited discussions on pedestrian safety and hostile vehicle mitigation in urban environments. These tragic events underscore the importance of proactive measures to protect public spaces. While New Orleans and Germany continue to recover from these attacks, New York City and other urban centers must also confront their vulnerability to such incidents.
New Yorkers are not unfamiliar with the devastation caused by hostile vehicle attacks. The 2017 Hudson River Park incident, where a terrorist used a rented truck to kill eight people and injure eleven others along a bike path, remains a chilling memory. Similarly, the Times Square incident in the same year left one person dead and over 20 injured when a car sped onto a crowded sidewalk. These events highlight how densely populated urban centers are vulnerable targets.
While New York has a strong history securing high-risk areas — installing bollards in places like Times Square and the World Trade Center site — significant opportunities for hardening remain. One of the most pressing challenges for urban centers is the issue of below-grade conditions. Many areas in Manhattan, particularly those adjacent to subway infrastructure, utility conduits and vaults, or basements directly beneath sidewalks, present unique difficulties for installing permanent vehicle barriers. Traditional deep foundations required for high-strength bollards and barriers are often impractical, if not impossible, in these locations. Off-the-shelf tested assemblies are not appropriate for these constrained conditions either, where the in-situ geometry differs drastically from the idealized test scenario.
Temporary barriers, such as unanchored modular or deployable systems, have been used effectively in events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or New Year’s Eve celebrations. However, these are not a long-term solution. Deployable systems require extensive planning, logistical coordination and storage, and maintenance to ensure they are functional when needed. Furthermore, they are not dependable for daily protection of high-foot-traffic areas or spontaneous gatherings.
Cities like New York must strike a delicate balance between enhancing security and maintaining urban functionality. A forest of bollards, for instance, may not be feasible on every block, nor desirable in a city known for its vibrant and open streetscape. Yet, failing to act leaves pedestrians exposed to risks that could potentially be mitigated.
The solution lies in developing a comprehensive pedestrian safety plan that incorporates a combination of permanent and deployable HVM infrastructure. Such a plan should:
1. Assess and Prioritize Vulnerabilities: Conduct ongoing citywide risk assessments in conjunction with building owners to identify areas most vulnerable to vehicle attacks, including popular tourist destinations, public plazas, and major transit hubs to prioritize hardening.
2. Integrate Security with Urban Design: Collaborate with architects, urban planners, and security experts to design barriers that are both functional and aesthetic. Reinforced benches, planters, or artistic installations can blend into the urban landscape while serving as effective protective measures.
3. Develop permanent infrastructure for temporary barriers: Install infrastructure that permits temporary barriers to be attached to a fixed foundation in high risk gathering areas, such as parade routes or seasonal pedestrian zones. This design philosophy mirrors the approach used with some deployable flood mitigation strategies.
4. Coordinate Nationally: Work with other municipalities to share best practices, drive the industry forward, and ensure consistent security measures on a national scale. New York can lead the way for other locales and has a responsibility to continue to evolve solutions for a shifting threat landscape.
The incidents in New Orleans, Germany, and here in New York serve as stark reminders that hostile vehicle attacks are a persistent threat. As one of the world’s most iconic cities, New York has both the resources and the responsibility to lead by example in pedestrian safety and hostile vehicle mitigation. By adopting a forward-thinking approach that combines innovation with practicality, the city can create an environment where residents and visitors alike can enjoy public spaces without fear.
Ultimately, the goal is not just to mitigate the impact of potential attacks but to send a clear message: our public spaces are places of community and connection, not fear. New York’s resilience is renowned—now is the time to ensure that resilience extends to the security of its streets and the safety of its people.
Matt Calo, P.E. is a New York based protective design engineer with Integral RSG.
