Months 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. The new barriers, set for installation by the NFL Super Bowl, can only withstand 10mph impacts despite modeling showing speeds could reach 70mph.
In selecting the new bollard system, the city prioritized ease of operation over crashworthiness because of chronic problems in operating the old one. This decision raises concerns over whether city officials left citizens vulnerable at the time of the New Year's Day attack.
Documents reviewed make clear that the new system would not prevent vehicle attacks at moderate to high speeds. Neither the old nor new barrier systems would have stopped the deadly attack, as stressed by city scrutiny after the incident.
The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in Bourbon Street's security. Current barriers were inadequate, with no bollards present at critical intersections, and a police SUV being the only blockade to protect pedestrians.
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