Crash-Rated Vehicle Access Control in 15 Minutes

Crash-Rated Vehicle Access Control in 15 Minutes

Greg Hamm, Delta Scientific Vice President – Sales and Marketing

By their very nature, terrorist attacks are unpredictable and predicated on surprise.  Staying one step ahead by identifying vulnerable areas, and securing them, is critical to staving off vehicular attacks.

That means being able to deploy security equipment in tough conditions, at a moment's notice. Such equipment has existed for several years in the forms of portable temporary barriers, which can be deployed quickly and effectively.

Terrorists typically don't go where they see barricades, so placing them wherever possible attacks can happen reduces security risks dramatically. Temporary barriers are also often used to protect facilities while permanent ones are being built. Plus they've even been effective for the long-term where physical conditions preclude permanent solutions.

Quick Deployment, Simple Set-Up and ASTM Crash Rating Needed

Originally built at the request of U.S. Federal government force protection specialists for initial fast deployment use in Iraq and elsewhere, a totally self-contained High Security Mobile Barricade System can be towed into position and control 16 feet of vehicle access within 15 minutes. No excavation or sub-surface preparation is required. Once positioned, the mobile barricade unpacks itself by using hydraulics to raise and lower itself off its wheels. A DC powered pump then raises or lowers the barrier. There is no hand cranking. Wheels are stored at the sides and then the vehicle ramps are folded out. To move the barrier, the procedures are simply reversed. It carries a K4/L1 rating and stops a 7.5 ton vehicle traveling 30 mph.

            The 20 foot unit came to fruition because US Army REF (Rapid Equipping Force) had a requirement for a portable 20 foot barrier at checkpoints in Afghanistan. They wanted a unit with a clear opening larger than the 16 foot version due to the size of vehicles in theatre. REF is housed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. The mission of the REF is to equip operational commanders with commercial off the shelf and government off the shelf solutions to increase effectiveness and reduce risk. Additionally, the mission is to insert future force technologies and surrogates to validate concepts and speed capabilities for soldiers. 

The MP5000 is one of Delta’s most popular vehicle barricades. It is now available in 12, 16 and 20 foot clear openings. It is popular because it can be towed to where vehicle security is needed and sets up in less than fifteen minutes. It is self contained and battery powered. It can be seen at G20 conferences to protect life and property on city streets and at major stadiums to reroute traffic on football weekends.

Popular with Law Enforcement

Thus, it is no surprise that portable barriers have become so accepted with law enforcement applications from temporarily blocking off streets for construction purposes, farmer’s markets, protecting parade goers, blocking off traffic during events and other temporary road closings. The portable unit has become the barricade of choice in situations where authorities need a temporary system that's easy to put in place and quick to deploy, even in difficult topography.

For instance, the Los Angeles Police Department purchased the units to protect its historic downtown Parker Center headquarters during times of heightened homeland security threat levels. When the homeland security threat alert rises, the LAPD's secure perimeter expands several blocks. The MP5000s can easily be mobilized in response to a threat level change, creating a safe zone at the outer areas surrounding the Parker Center headquarters. The mobile barriers are also used for special events unique to Los Angeles, such as Hollywood awards ceremonies, to provide extra security at events such as the Academy Awards, major sporting events, high-profile trials, or in the potential event of riots or natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Operating modes include full automatic, remote-hard line, remote-radio, card reader, key switch, local guard push button controls or via master and slave control panel. Both the operation of the barrier as well as deployment and retrieval are push-button controlled. A standard system includes a battery-operated power unit, replenished from either a solar array or local low voltage source. Optionally, a hydraulic power unit operated on a locally supplied power or full manual system, or combination, is available. Both the locally powered and battery powered hydraulic pumping unit can be sized to provide pass-through rates suitable for most inspection and identification station requirements.

Independent certified laboratory tests show that the High Security Portable Barricade System can be easily towed into place by a light three-quarter-ton pickup truck. It can even be towed off road through loose sand by a military grade HMMWV.

The portable barrier features an on-board four-wheel hydraulic braking system that's independent of the towing vehicle. Tests proved that its brakes are operational even if the brake light cable is left unplugged. Tow vehicle changes are just a matter of choosing between the pintle hook and supplied Lunette eye for military vehicles or the ball for commercial vehicles. No special wiring is required for towing and the MP5000 has multiple voltage options as well as interchangeable brake light adapters for four- and seven-pin connectors.

Pulled by a Golf Cart

A smaller version, the DSC1000, is light enough to be towed by a golf cart and set up in only 10 minutes. It has passed an ASTM crash test in which it stopped a 5,000-pound vehicle going 50 mph, providing it with an ASTM rating of P50. With no foundation or electrical hook-up needed, two people can set up and take down the barrier in minutes. The barricade’s self-contained power system provides all the power necessary to raise and lower the unit onto its trailer and open and close the barrier. This battery-powered system re-charges with a solar panel or external means. Controls can be locked or operated at the barricade or remotely.

            Many municipalities, police departments, event organizers and others that stage temporary events, ranging from art walks to concerts and sporting events, have requested a commercial barrier that can be towed into place and protect attendees from errant drivers.  Using Soft Stop technology, the DSC1000 stops such drivers from inflicting harm.

Contrary to the “hard stop” wanted with anti-terrorist crash-tested barricades, testing of the new DSC 1000 demonstrated that the collision did not distort the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Instead, Soft Stop technology decelerates and stops the vehicle over a short distance, technically referred to as “occupant ride down acceleration.”

            This is important because, in many cases, the tragedies that the smaller portable barrier negates are accidents. Authorities want the vehicle stopped but they also want to avoid injury to the driver as much as possible.

Start Installation at 11:45 am; Have Protection by Lunch

In today’s heightened security climate, organizations want to block entrances as quickly as possible. With portable and towable barriers, they can begin and finish installation in 15 minutes. Federal, state, county and municipal governments and private organizations can now obtain crash-rated personnel protection barriers that can be installed quickly and easily.

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PHOTOS & CAPTIONS

MP5000-Transporting: Transporting a mobile barrier is simple. Hook it to a truck.

HPIM2011 – The temporary barrier drops to let authorized vehicles through.

Phl-delta 4 – To provide protection, mobile barriers are kept in the upright position

Levi’s Stadium-49ers – Portable, temporary at the San Francisco 49’ers stadium.