Hostile Vehicle Mitigation – Everything you need to know

The importance of hostile vehicle mitigation came to public attention after the 2016 Nice truck attack. This attack resulted in 86 people being killed and another 458-people injured when a 19-ton truck ploughed through a tightly packed promenade in the coastal city of Nice, France.

The Nice attack was the first mass casualty attack of its kind in a western nation and would lay the foundation for a reform of Australia’s counter-terrorism practices. Subsequently, we would see the use of everyday vehicles – the most used form of transport in the world today, with some 19.2 million registered vehicles in Australia alone – used with malicious intent.

The recent hostile vehicle attacks in Melbourne were a wake-up call to the real threat in Australia and the vulnerability of the public in crowded places.

It is no longer good enough to think “It won’t happen to us” with mounting examples of hostile vehicles being used in numerous attacks on the public. Unfortunately, it only takes one.

Events and public gatherings provide higher profile opportunities for a hostile vehicle attack to occur in such as:

  • Sporting Events
  • Parades (ie Anzac Day)
  • Festivals
  • Holiday Celebrations
  • Outdoor Markets

The importance of creating a barrier between pedestrians and vehicles has since become an important topic for study in the counter-terrorism and security disciplines.

Australia’s Hostile Vehicle Guidelines for Crowded Places

Fortunately, the Commonwealth Government’s response to the attacks has resulted in the development of the Hostile Vehicle Guidelines for Crowded Places.  These guidelines provide an understanding and guidance to the real risk of hostile vehicle attacks and the specialised approach required for hostile vehicle mitigation to protect against a disaster.

Protective Barriers Australia are producing a range of articles that seek to build knowledge and answer common questions asked by businesses, event managers, risk or security practitioners and local governments seeking to implement forms of hostile vehicle mitigation into a variety of contexts. These articles will seek to dispel common misconceptions apparent within existing industry practice, and instead reinforce the core science behind the topic of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation. So check back here regularly for the latest updates.  

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Explained


What is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation?

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (or HVM) has a simple enough goal, it involves separating pedestrians from vehicles through the use of clearly defined and fit for purpose barriers. It is important that these barriers act… Read More


Planning Against Hostile Vehicle Attacks

A history of Hostile Vehicle Attacks Over the last ten years we have seen over 40 acts of terror that have involved the use of vehicles as a means to cause harm against pedestrians… Read More

IWA 14-1 and PAS 68 Standards for Vehicle Security Barriers Explained

The recent spate of Hostile Vehicle Attacks (HVA’s) has resulted in an increase in the available Vehicle Security Barriers (VSB’s) being pitched to the market as viable solutions to help mitigate…. Read More

Why International Crash Standards Are So Important

Using a vehicle barrier without international crash test ratings is putting the public in danger so it’s important to have an understanding of the ratings and what they mean.  To understand the ratings you must first understand the science behind vehicle impact… Read More

Security key to safer communities in Australia

Globally schools and places of worship are being treated with far greater security risk measures than what we are seeing in Australia.  In light of the recent Christchurch attacks the Commonwealth Government of Australia is increasing it’s efforts in policy and grant funding for security of public places…  Read More

Busting the road safety barrier myth for hostile vehicle protection

Concrete and water filled barriers are often considered an effective measure for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation though anything is further from the truth.  Learn about the protective barrier guidelines and how to choose the right barrier for the right job.  Read More 

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation – A cost effective community shared model for government and event managers

Recent community event cancellations due to the cost of protection of the public in crowded places highlights the need for a new approach to planning temporary event infrastructure.  Learn about a new cost effective way to plan and budget for  new standards in community safety and security.  Read More 

Who are Protective Barriers Australia?

Protective Barriers Australia (PBA) are leaders in hostile vehicle mitigation, recently working with the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 as the preferred supplier of their hostile vehicle mitigation solution.  Protecting over 520,000 spectators across 20 venues, Australia’s largest sporting event in the last decade was delivered incident free.

We are offering opportunity a free demonstration and trial to experience the benefits of our solutions first hand.  Sign-up to secure a booking for a free demonstration to ensure you are meeting the requirements of the Commonwealth Government’s Hostile Vehicle Guidelines for Crowded Places.

Crash Tested Protective Barriers

Road safety crash barriers (concrete or water filled) and / or improvised vehicle barriers are often considered a solution for hostile vehicle mitigation. However as per the guidelines they are not designed to provide protection from a ram-raid and should not be used outside their design specification. They are not crash-tested or certified to the relevant international standards and are not suitable to provide effective protective measures against a vehicle attack.

PBA are the exclusive Australian suppliers of the Modular Vehicle Barrier (MVB), a rapid deployment temporary barrier using a patented and global leading innovative technology.  Effective and efficient, crash-tested and certified, easily deployed by one person with no tools or vehicle. See all hostile vehicle mitigation products.

Read more about Hostile Vehicle Mitigation

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