A recently published video of Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) shows how a former Blue Bell ice cream delivery truck barrels into a steel barrier at 50 mph (80 km/h). As part of the company’s contract with the U.S. State Department to test various security devices to be installed at embassies and other facilities around the world, the truck is seen turning to pieces, while the barrier manages to stop the vehicle.
The test was conducted last week and it’s part of TTI’s contract with the American government to test perimeter security devices. This devices are meant to stop terrorist vehicles from breaching barriers, to prevent possible attacks. This crash in question centered on a 24-foot-wide (7 meter wide) barrier buried 18 inches (45 cm) into the ground.
According to Texas Tribune, the goal was to prevent the truck bed from making it further than one meter pas the barrier, a spot marked by a blue pole at the testing site. The test was a success. However, what came to our attention is what people running the project also admited saying “the ability of a driver to survive such a crash is not a primary concern.”
Well, after all we’re talking about preventing terrorist into passing barriers such as the embassy front entrances or similar places.
As to what these people are doing, it would seem it’s quite serious. TTI’s work with the State Department began in 2001 and under the current contract the company performs about $1 million worth of crash testing each year for the State Department. Most of the research revolves around highway safety design and testing.
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