New Orleans’ planned barriers only designed to withstand crashes of 10mph
Jan 05, 2025
Files reviewed by Reuters show new system not able to prevent vehicle attacks at moderate to high speedsMonths before the deadly New Orleans vehicle attack on New Year’s Day, the city modeled scenarios for how an attacker could enter Bourbon Street at various intersections in a crew-cab Ford F-150 similar to the one used to kill 14 people and injure dozens more.Engineers found such a pickup could enter the crowded tourist strip at speeds ranging from 12-70mph – yet city officials are installing new street barriers that can only withstand 10mph impacts, according to an April city-contracted engineering analysis and city bid documents reviewed by Reuters. Continue reading...