| The humble Jersey Barrier is assuming bigger and | | | | functioning of the day-to-day activities, make civilians |
| important roles, as a measure to save human lives; | | | | feel safe to go about their routine, and yet remain |
| and not just on highways and speedways. Initially with | | | | vigilant and alert to any untoward activity around such |
| the introduction of Jersey barriers back in the late | | | | areas. One such solution is to create perimeters |
| 1960s, the aim was to prevent vehicle crossovers and | | | | around federal buildings using Jersey barriers. With the |
| collisions to save the lives of motorists and drivers, | | | | new face of terrorism, that seeks not just to attack |
| who had to pass the treacherous mountain terrains as | | | | military installations and important government buildings, |
| they traveled in California and on the multiple lanes on | | | | but also to inflict harm on unarmed, unsuspecting |
| highways, elsewhere in the country. However, with the | | | | civilians, the Jersey barriers have sprung up almost |
| changing world political scenario over the decades, and | | | | everywhere as defense strategies. |
| with the growth of terrorism when the world | | | | Jersey barriers are sturdy structures of concrete and |
| witnessed the most horrific and gruesome terror | | | | steel that can withstand explosions many times over |
| attack on the US on September 11, 2001 and various | | | | before they need replacement and are very effective |
| other incidents of terror worldwide on American | | | | in minimizing damage from vehicle bomb attacks. |
| citizens, the jersey barriers were set to be upgraded | | | | Security consultants, who are certified protection |
| as combat warriors too. Today soldiers in war zones, | | | | personnel, perform careful assessment of selection, |
| and anywhere where there is a terror threat | | | | placement, and installation of Jersey barriers to chart |
| perception use concrete Jersey barriers. | | | | out a vehicle barrier system, and assess the threat |
| The earliest Jersey barriers were 12 to 18 inches high | | | | level to the facility. Provision for a reasonable standoff |
| and this gradually increased to a height of 32 inches, | | | | distance should be made; standoff distance being the |
| which was the standard design for several decades; | | | | farthest location a terrorist could park the bomb-laden |
| to prevent vehicles from turning the wrong way at | | | | vehicle, from the building. The greater the standoff |
| intersections and to prevent crossing into lanes where | | | | distance, the better is the protection provided as the |
| there was oncoming traffic. Today the Jersey barriers | | | | force of an explosion decreases as distance from the |
| are 54 inches high and seen along miles and miles of | | | | point of origin increases. |
| highway and with that height, they cut off glare of | | | | Jersey barriers are however passive barriers and may |
| headlights of the oncoming traffic too. Tall barriers | | | | be used as temporary solutions to counter terror |
| were also a solution, to protect public facilities and | | | | attacks. Several new barrier systems are being |
| landmark buildings in a city, from deliberate terror | | | | developed and tested for efficacy under numerous |
| tactics. | | | | situations. The basic idea behind these anti-terror |
| All government buildings, court houses, treasury | | | | barrier systems is to make sure civilians are not |
| buildings are important enough to attract terrorist | | | | intimidated in any way by these massive structures, |
| attention, because crippling any such institution would | | | | make the barriers blend easily with the existing |
| make a tremendous impact, given the nature of work | | | | landscape and yet be effective enough in case of a |
| that goes on there. It is imperative to ensure smooth | | | | terror attack. |