Recent events have led some organizations and property owners to consider physical security upgrades to protect their buildings and outdoor spaces. One type of threat involves vehicles being used as a weapon to cause harm to people or property. For properties at high risk of this threat, the use of physical barriers – known as Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) – may be justified.
The HVM Guidelines are intended for private property owners seeking to install permanent HVM measures that encroach into the public right-of-way. The document is designed to help property owners and design professionals navigate the HVM encroachment and construction permit process. It provides guidance on understanding HVM concepts, assessing security needs, selecting appropriate barrier systems, and completing the City’s construction permit application procedures.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) refers to physical features designed to deter, delay, or stop vehicles from reaching a specific location. Common HVM measures include crash-rated bollards, reinforced walls, and hardened street furniture. Because HVM measures can permanently alter the streetscape and influence pedestrian movement, product selection should be guided by a comprehensive security strategy tailored to the site’s unique risks and context. The need for HVM is identified through a Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment (TVRA), which evaluates the security risk for a given property and outlines mitigation options that result in an appropriate level of protection.
The City may consider the use of HVM measures in the public right-of-way (e.g. encroaching onto City sidewalks) only where:
In these cases, proposed HVM measures must be carefully designed to minimize disruption to the public realm. They must be integrated into the streetscape and comply with City policies related to accessibility, streetscape design, emergency access, and public realm functionality. These considerations are assessed through the City’s encroachment and construction permit application process.
Anyone planning to install HVM measures that may encroach on the public right-of-way is strongly encouraged to review the HVM Guidelines document as early as possible into their project planning. This document can also serve as an informational resource for property owners considering HVM solutions, even when a right-of-way encroachment is not required.
The document is organized into three chapters:
Chapter 1: Understanding HVM in the Public Realm
Chapter 2: Design Requirements for HVM in the Public Right-of-Way
Chapter 3: Context-Sensitive Design Guidance
The HVM Guidelines document describes a five-stage process for planning, designing, and seeking permission to install HVM measures on the public right-of-way. The document provides instructions and identifies application requirements for each stage. These include: