Summary
New Orleans is installing new 10-mph-rated bollards on Bourbon Street to replace failing barriers ahead of the Feb. 9 Super Bowl, despite knowing they can’t stop moderate-to-high-speed vehicle attacks like the deadly New Year’s Day incident that killed 14.
The city prioritized ease of use over crash safety due to maintenance issues with older barriers.
Critics argue the new system leaves vulnerabilities, as the engineering report showed vehicles could still exceed the bollards’ speed rating.
Officials face scrutiny over balancing security and daily operations in the crowded tourist zone.
It was probably one of those fancy electric ones with remote access. Cities will pay millions for something like that instead of the low tech solution of just having a guy with a key there that’ll set you back a few tens of thousands a year.
Or just give a key to the fire department and the municipal waste department.
Even with the high tech electric option, you probably still want at least one armed guard sitting watch at the intersection between pedestrians and people operating pedestrian-murder-machines