New Orleans is replacing its street barriers on Bourbon Street with bollards rated to withstand impacts of up to 10 mph, prioritizing ease of operation over crash resistance.
This decision follows years of operational issues with the previous system, plagued by mechanical failures and maintenance challenges caused by street grime and debris.
Security assessments showed that vehicles, like the pickup used in the deadly New Year’s Day attack, could reach speeds between 12 and 70 mph when entering Bourbon Street.
Neither the old nor the new bollard systems would have prevented the attack, as they weren’t designed to withstand high-speed impacts or vehicles maneuvering onto sidewalks.
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