Vehicle vector analysis for New York City (even for sidewalk construction permits)

Ensuring pedestrian safety in public places has become even more important as awareness of vehicle-borne incidents have increased. Whether it is a car being used in a ram-raiding attack, or a truck being used in a terrorist attack against crowds, or a runaway vehicle due to driver loss of control, protection of people and property against potential vehicle threats cannot be ignored. Ideally, the best risk controls require separation zones between vehicles, buildings, and pedestrians. However, this is not always possible in the built-up environments we inhabit today, particularly in most major cities like New York. Whether propelled by criminal intent, terrorist action or a medical or mental health issue, it is now common to incorporate the threat of incoming vehicles into public risk assessment and risk management of any public or private space that may be accessible to or be exposed to vehicles.

There are several standards specifying how risk controls should be developed including ASTM F2656-07 in the United States and PAS 68 across Europe. Common risk mitigation techniques outlined in such standards include the use of temporary and permanent barriers or bollards to protect pedestrians from hostile vehicle threats. Risk to pedestrians and buildings can be determined by Vehicle Vector Analysis which is the process of identifying and analysing the possible pathways a vehicle can take to cause harm. This analysis will then be used to evaluate the potential energy of the impact in kilojoules and kinetic energy units or momentum. This then forms the basis for development of appropriate risk mitigation strategies and plans, such as the selection and deployment of appropriate barriers.

Vardogyir has developed an innovative technology called Automated Hostile Vehicle Vector Analysis (AHVVA) that uses geospatial data and applies proprietary modelling algorithms to streamline and automate the process of performing vehicle vector analysis – a process that otherwise requires expensive and time-consuming manual calculations. This has meant that only a small percentage of places that are vulnerability to vehicle threats have been able to assess and plan for such threats. Vardogyir’s approach to vector analysis has made the practice of generating clear advice about compliance with risk standards simple and accessible, allowing public risk measures required by police departments to be implemented for a larger range of buildings, public spaces, events and even sidewalk construction projects.

We are proud to be part of a broad community solution providing smart, accessible, and affordable technology that not only increases compliance with relevant standards but, most importantly, helps protect people and assets.

For more information email Nazli Hocaoglu or Andrew Tatrai at hello@assessthreat.com