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Security Briefings

Engineering perspectives on vehicle ramming, blast, drones and crowded-place security, written by PNH's technical lead.

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Transformer protected by two high capture nets, an open expansion gap and a solid shield roof
NEW BRIEFING · DRONES AND BLAST

It Is a Detonation Problem: Passive Protection Against One-Way Attack Drones

Catching an attack drone is the smallest part of the problem. What protects the asset is controlling where, and how far away, the warhead goes off.

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Unbadged electric pickup truck approaching a line of steel bollards on a crash test track
BRIEFING

Vehicle Ramming in the Electrified Era: Threat Evolution, Standards Adaptation, and Human-Centric HVM

Electric vehicles change the ramming threat: more mass, near-silent approach and rapid acceleration. What it means for standards and barrier selection.

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Pedestrian street protected by planters and bollards, with a parked box truck beyond the barrier line
BRIEFING

Redefining the Threat: Small and Large Vehicle Ramming Attacks in the Urban Landscape

Why vehicle ramming has become one of the most accessible and lethal methods of attack on public spaces.

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Plaza edge where benches, planters and bollards form one protective line
BRIEFING

Vehicle Ramming Threat Mitigation: A Human-Centric Protective Design Approach

Deliberate vehicle assaults and vehicle-borne explosive threats in civic environments.

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Modern school entrance with a secure vestibule and a drop-off lane protected by bollards and planters
BRIEFING

Building Resilience Through Active Shooter Preparedness

Lessons on preparedness for schools and public facilities.

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Electric versus combustion vehicles
Electric versus combustion vehicles as a ramming threat: qualitative comparison of mass, acceleration from standstill and approach noise Schematic speed over time curves and qualitative bars comparing an electric vehicle with a comparable combustion vehicle. SPEED FROM STANDSTILL Time Speed Electric Combustion, comparable class COMPARABLE VEHICLES, QUALITATIVE Vehicle mass Torque at low speed Approach noise at low speed Electric Combustion Speed at each barrier line is solved for the vehicles that can reach it, including electric ones. Illustrative only. Varies widely by model.
Qualitatively, electric vehicles are often heavier, quicker off the line and quieter on approach than comparable combustion vehicles.
Small and large vehicle ramming compared
Small and large vehicle ramming compared: qualitative strengths of each threat and the design response each one drives Car and truck silhouettes with three-level qualitative meters and design responses. Small vehicle Large vehicle Mass and impact energy Fits through narrow gaps Gains speed on a short run-up Agility on tight routes Higher Lower WHAT EACH ONE DRIVES IN DESIGN Small vehicle Continuous coverage: every gap, sidewalk and landscaped edge checked. Large vehicle A tested rating matched to the speed the approach allows. Qualitative and illustrative. Not to scale.
Small vehicles exploit gaps and short run-ups; large vehicles bring mass, so each drives a different design response.
Human-centric layered vehicle mitigation
Human-centric hostile vehicle mitigation: protective elements that double as public amenities while keeping pedestrian flow open Plan of a plaza edge where trees, planters, benches and bollards form one protective line with open pedestrian gaps and an active barrier for emergency access. Building frontage Street Plaza Trees Planters Bollards Seating Active barrier Clear pedestrian routes stay open Emergency and service access Hostile vehicle (illustrative) Pedestrian movement Schematic plan. Not to scale. Not for design.
Trees, planters, seating and bollards form one protective line while pedestrian routes and emergency access stay open.
School preparedness in layers
School preparedness in layers: site and drop-off, controlled entry, interior, and people and plans, coordinated with first responders Concentric layers around a school building with numbered descriptions. School building 1 2 3 4 5 1 Coordinate Plans shared and practiced with first responders. 2 Site and drop-off Controlled vehicle approaches and protected pickup areas. 3 Building edge Secure perimeter and visible, staffed approaches. 4 Controlled entry One visitor entry with a secure vestibule. 5 People and plans Lockable classrooms, clear alerts, regular training and drills. Schematic. Not to scale. General preparedness concept.
A general preparedness concept: coordinated plans, site and drop-off, building edge, controlled entry, and people and plans inside.

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