The recently uncovered documents reviewed by Reuters reveal that the current bollard system in place will not be effective in preventing vehicle attacks at moderate-to-high speeds. When choosing the new bollard system, the city of New Orleans prioritized ease of operation over crashworthiness due to ongoing issues with the previous system. Unlike certain pedestrian-only areas like New York City’s Times Square, Bourbon Street allows regular vehicle traffic for most of the day, necessitating the blocking off of sections each evening.
Following the New Year’s Day attack, city officials have come under scrutiny for potentially leaving citizens vulnerable during the transition from old bollards to new ones. However, neither barrier system would have stopped the tragic incident. The terrorist behind the attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck through Bourbon Street, resulting in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to over 30 revelers.
Jabbar exploited a security loophole by maneuvering his vehicle onto a narrow sidewalk, bypassing the lack of bollards at Canal and Bourbon streets where the attack began. Despite the ongoing installation of new bollards, concerns remain about their effectiveness in preventing similar incidents. The city’s security planning had not considered scenarios involving vehicles entering Bourbon Street via the sidewalk, an oversight highlighted after the attack.
New Orleans officials did not provide detailed responses to Reuters regarding their security planning for Bourbon Street and the decision to install barriers with a 10-mph crash rating. The challenges faced by cities in balancing security measures with maintaining regular traffic flow, including accessible sidewalks, were emphasized by a source familiar with the city’s security planning. The chosen bollard system with a 10-mph crash rating was sourced from 1-800-Bollards Inc., with bidding documents seeking an installer for the “RCS8040 S10 removable bollard” system.
Despite ongoing efforts to enhance security with the new bollards, concerns persist about their ability to address the vulnerabilities exposed by the New Year’s attack. The city’s security planning continues to evolve in response to the ever-present threat of vehicle-related incidents in public spaces.
The engineering analysis states that a barrier rated for 10-mph impacts can halt a 5,000-pound vehicle traveling at this speed. Crash ratings are classified as S10 (10mph impact), S20 (20mph impact), and S30 (30mph impact). It was noted that a barrier designed for 10-mph impacts might still cause damage to a vehicle moving at higher speeds. Representatives from 1-800-Bollards Inc chose not to provide a comment. City-contracted engineers simulated scenarios for potential attacks on Bourbon Street, including instances where a vehicle enters the street without making any turns. A white pickup truck was stopped by a crane in the middle of the street. The study revealed that a 2015 F-150 could reach speeds of 50 mph by accelerating from a stoplight across Canal Street. The same vehicle could achieve speeds of 70 mph when entering the section of Bourbon Street protected by bollards. The analysis pointed out that Jabbar drove a more potent vehicle than the one used in the report – a newer F-150 Lightning, which is faster, heavier, and quieter. During major events like New Year’s or Mardi Gras, city security plans involve positioning large vehicles at vulnerable points on Bourbon Street to deter high-speed vehicle attacks. However, it was noted that such measures are impractical on a daily basis in the busy tourist area. City officials have been exploring options to replace New Orleans’ outdated street barriers to enhance protection against vehicle attacks since at least 2020. The initial bollard system, the Heald HT2 Matador, faced challenges on Bourbon Street, with tracks becoming obstructed by debris, including Mardi Gras bead necklaces. Furthermore, the locking mechanism embedded in the street often got submerged in what was described as “Bourbon Street juice” – a mix of street grime, refuse, rainwater, spilled drinks, and occasionally vomit.
The company stated that the system operates effectively with “basic maintenance and cleaning.” In light of certain challenges, the city of New Orleans prioritized ease of operation and maintenance over crash safety ratings when selecting a new bollard system. This decision was based on information from a source and an April 2024 report by Mott MacDonald, an engineering firm contracted by the city to assess numerous bollard options. Representatives from Mott MacDonald declined to provide comments.
The report identified three different crash-rating standards for bollard systems. It determined that the highest crash rating, capable of withstanding impacts from 15,000-pound vehicles traveling at speeds between 30 to 50 mph, was not suitable for the city’s requirement to move the bollards daily. Initially, New Orleans opted for the Heald HT2 Matador system, which allowed workers to reposition the barriers along tracks in the street, according to city records.
However, the report highlighted that specialized lifting equipment such as a truck-mounted crane or heavy machinery would be essential for daily bollard relocation with such a system. Subsequently, the city selected the 1-800-Bollards Inc system with a 10-mph rating. These bollards consist of relatively lightweight stainless-steel posts that can be inserted into street foundations. Notably, the chosen bollards could be installed and removed daily by a single city employee.
The engineering analysis indicated that the weight of the posts for the selected system was 44 pounds, while comparable bollards rated at 20 mph weighed 86 pounds. The report also included modeling for potential attack scenarios, with outcomes demonstrating that an F-150 vehicle could turn onto Bourbon Street at speeds between 12 and 20 mph without impacting curbs or sidewalks, exceeding the 10 mph crash rating of the chosen system.
Concerns voiced by city officials and representatives from the French Quarter community centered on protecting pedestrians from vehicles making turns onto Bourbon Street from side streets at lower speeds. The report evaluated various bollard systems based on different criteria, with the ultimately selected system receiving a deduction in its safety rating score for not meeting specified project requirements. However, it received higher marks for the weight of the bollards and their cost-effectiveness.
In summary, New Orleans’ decision to prioritize operational ease and maintenance over crash safety ratings led to the selection of a bollard system that could be efficiently moved daily by city staff. This choice aimed to address concerns regarding pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas like Bourbon Street.
