Lessons from the 2016 Nice Terrorist Attack

Executive Summary

On July 14, 2016, during the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, France, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian-born resident, drove a 19-ton truck into a crowded pedestrian area along the Promenade des Anglais. The attack resulted in the deaths of 86 people and left over 430 others injured. The attacker, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS, exemplified the growing threat of vehicular terrorism—a low-cost, high-impact tactic that is difficult to detect and prevent. This attack prompted a global reassessment of urban security, with a renewed focus on Security by Design to protect public spaces from vehicle-ramming attacks. Security by Design involves integrating protective measures into the planning and Design of infrastructure, balancing the need for security with public accessibility and aesthetic considerations.

Attack Profile

The Nice attack is a prime example of how readily available tools—such as trucks—can be weaponized to cause mass casualties. Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drove his truck up to 90 km/h along the promenade, where thousands gathered to watch fireworks. The truck continued for over 2 kilometres, indiscriminately ploughing into pedestrians before being stopped by police gunfire. Key factors that made this attack possible included:

1. Open Access to Pedestrian Areas: The promenade, a popular public space, had minimal physical barriers, which allowed a heavy vehicle to enter the crowd.

2. Lack of Effective Vehicle Barriers: At the time of the attack, there were no strategically placed barriers to stop or slow down a vehicle of such size and speed.

3. Low-Sophistication Tactic: Vehicular attacks, while simple to execute, can result in large-scale casualties without the need for sophisticated planning, making them a favoured method for terrorist groups like ISIS.

 Lessons Learned and Security Enhancements

Vehicle Barriers and Bollards: Following the Nice attack, there was a global emphasis on installing more robust vehicle barriers to prevent similar incidents. These barriers were designed based on lessons learned from previous attacks:

1. Heavier, Impact-Resistant Bollards: Traditional decorative barriers were replaced or supplemented with reinforced concrete or steel bollards capable of stopping or significantly slowing down large vehicles. Bollards are now designed to withstand high-speed impacts from vehicles weighing up to 30 tons.

2. Strategic Placement: Barriers are placed at entrances to pedestrian zones, public squares, and event venues. These installations often appear as part of the urban landscape (e.g., disguised as benches, flowerpots, or sculptures) to maintain the aesthetic quality of public spaces while providing protection.

Zigzagging Road Layouts: In addition to barriers, cities have adopted zigzag road layouts near high-risk areas. This Design prevents vehicles from gaining high-speed access to pedestrian zones, as drivers must slow down to navigate the turns. In urban planning, this approach integrates smoothly into the environment and minimizes the impact on regular traffic flow while reducing the risk of high-speed ramming attacks.

Dynamic Barriers: Dynamic barriers have been implemented in many cities to accommodate the need for flexible public spaces while ensuring security. These are retractable bollards or heavy-duty steel barriers that can be raised or lowered depending on traffic needs, such as during festivals or large public gatherings. Dynamic barriers have been deployed in cities like Nice and London, where public spaces must be secured during peak activity.

Crowd Management and Monitoring: The Nice attack also highlighted the importance of crowd monitoring and control. In addition to physical barriers, technology-based solutions such as:

1. CCTV networks integrated with real-time analytics can track vehicle movements and detect anomalies.

2. License plate recognition (LPR) systems alert authorities if unauthorized vehicles enter restricted zones. These systems are often paired with traffic control systems to divert vehicles that pose potential threats.

3. Drone surveillance has been used in large open spaces to monitor crowds from above, providing a broader perspective of potential threats.

Technical Standards and Innovations

To address the evolving threat of vehicular terrorism, various standards have been developed to assess the effectiveness of barriers:

1. PAS 68: A globally recognized standard for testing vehicle security barriers. It ensures that barriers can withstand impact from vehicles of varying sizes and speeds based on real-world attack scenarios.

2. IWA 14-1 (International Workshop Agreement): An international standard developed to guide the performance of vehicle security barriers. This standard ensures that security measures can stop or deflect vehicle threats while allowing for the free flow of pedestrian traffic.

Impact of Security by Design

The tragic events in Nice, followed by similar attacks in cities like London, Stockholm, and Barcelona, have led to a shift in how security is integrated into urban planning. Critical elements of Security by Design now include:

1. Permanent and Aesthetic Solutions: While temporary barriers, such as concrete blocks, were initially deployed following attacks, cities have increasingly turned to permanent solutions that blend seamlessly with the environment. These include reinforced benches, planters, and sculptures that serve dual purposes as protective barriers.

2. Collaborative Planning: Security measures are now part of the early stages of city planning, with collaboration between architects, engineers, and security experts to ensure that public spaces are safe and welcoming. For example, in Paris, the area around the Eiffel Tower has been equipped with bulletproof glass and vehicle barriers without detracting from the site's beauty.

3. Adaptability to Emerging Threats: Security by Design emphasizes adaptability. As threats evolve, so too must security measures. This includes integrating new technologies, such as AI-based surveillance systems capable of identifying potential threats in real-time and mobile barriers that can be deployed as needed for large events.

Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations

The 2016 Nice terrorist attack underscored the vulnerabilities in urban Design to vehicular attacks. In response, cities worldwide have adopted Security by Design principles to protect public spaces. By incorporating resilient barriers, intelligent surveillance, and adaptable security measures, urban environments can be safer while preserving the freedom and accessibility that define public spaces. The Nice attack serves as a critical case study, highlighting both the challenges and the solutions required to prevent future vehicle-based terrorist attacks.28