Deployable vehicle crash barriers helped police and security personnel protect Pope Francis on his September 2015 visit to the US. Global Access Control Systems (Pittsburgh) provided the 12- and 16-foot (3.7m to 4.9m) MP5000 barriers from Delta Scientific, the California-based manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control products.
At each location, the self-contained MP5000’s were towed into position and controlled vehicle access within 15 minutes, the makers report. No excavation or sub-surface preparation was required. Once positioned, the mobile barricades unpacked themselves by using hydraulics to raise and lower the barriers off their wheels. DC-powered pumps then raised or lowered the barriers. The shorter mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers carry a K4 rating (M30 per new ASTM rating), stopping 7.5 ton (6400 kg) vehicles travelling at 30 mph (48 kph). The longer MP5000 meets K8 rating requirements, stopping the same sized vehicle at 40 mph (64 kph).
Greg Hamm, Delta Scientific vice president of sales and marketing, says: “At almost every major event, from political conventions to G-20 and NATO meetings, Delta’s portable MP5000 barriers are protecting participants from harm. During the Papal visit engagements, which were witnessed by millions, not one vehicle got into position to cause harm.”
Over 1000 of the MP5000 barriers are being used around the world. The barricade is towed into place by a three-quarter-ton pickup truck. Many of the products are being used in the Middle East to protect US troops from truck bomb attack.
Operation of the barrier as well as deployment and retrieval are push-button controlled. A standard system includes a battery-operated power unit, replenished from either a solar array or local low voltage source. Optionally, a Delta Hydraulic Power Unit operated on a locally supplied power or full manual system, or combination, is available. Both the locally powered and battery powered hydraulic pumping unit can be sized to provide pass-through rates suitable for most inspection and identification station requirements.
Operating modes include full automatic, remote-hard line, remote-radio, card reader, key switch, local guard push button controls or via master and slave control panel.
More on the MP5000 is available at www.deltascientific.com.
