New Orleans is facing growing scrutiny over its decision to implement a new set of street barriers that can only withstand impacts at speeds of up to 10 mph, just months after a deadly vehicle attack that claimed 14 lives on New Year’s Day. The attack, perpetrated by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, involved a pickup truck that plowed into a crowded area of Bourbon Street, prompting a federal investigation into the event as a potential act of terrorism.

Despite modeling scenarios that demonstrated a vehicle, specifically a Ford F-150, could access the crowded Bourbon Street at speeds reaching between 12 to 70 mph, New Orleans officials opted for bollards rated at just 10 mph, as confirmed by an April engineering analysis. This decision has raised alarms, especially with the new barriers reportedly set to be installed only by the February 9 Super Bowl while the old system was being dismantled.

The recent attack highlighted vulnerabilities in the city’s security strategy, particularly the ease with which Jabbar maneuvered his pickup onto an eight-foot-wide sidewalk, which was not accounted for in the city's earlier safety assessments. This oversight has further fueled concerns that neither the old nor the new barrier systems would have effectively prevented the assault given their insufficient crash ratings.

City officials explained the decision to prioritize operational ease over safety stemmed from the older system, the Heald HT2 Matador, frequently malfunctioning due to environmental factors like debris clogging the tracks. The 10 mph bollard system, produced by 1-800-Bollards Inc, offered a lightweight and practical alternative, with each bollard weighing just 44 pounds compared to the 86 pounds of their 20 mph counterparts. However, this choice raised significant questions about public safety and protection against similar future threats.

Amidst the backlash, city officials emphasized the ongoing challenge in safeguarding high-traffic areas without obstructing pedestrian and vehicle access. The new bollards were not in place during the attack, which has led to criticisms regarding whether residents were left unprotected during the transition from the old system to the new. Critics argue that it is unacceptable to have chosen such low-rated barriers in light of the events that occurred.

Data from the engineering studies suggested that high-speed entries onto Bourbon would likely result in high collision impacts, emphasizing that a stronger barrier would have been crucial in enhancing public safety. While the choice was made in favor of operational flexibility, the effectiveness of such measures in real-world scenarios remains daunting.

As the city navigates the aftermath of the New Year’s attack and questions regarding their security infrastructure, officials are expected to conduct thorough evaluations that might influence future decisions on public safety and urban security measures.

For a complete overview of the situation and the concerns raised about New Orleans’ barrier systems, refer to detailed reports published by news agencies including Reuters and India Times.