In March of this year, an unimaginable disaster unfolded in Baltimore Harbor as a massive cargo ship brought down the 47-year-old Francis Scott Key Bridge, the third longest span in the world, which carried over 34,000 vehicles a day. It is estimated the cost to rebuild could exceed $1 billion. The tragedy was a result of a perfect storm of events, one of which was an older “truss” bridge with no redundancies to compensate for the loss of a support structure, or any static protection, such as fenders, to prevent or deflect the collision. America’s critical infrastructure is aging, with bridges, levees, and dams reaching an average age ranging from 43 – 56 years old. More troubling is the stark reality that, in most instances, this exceeds these improvements’ life expectancies. Furthermore, due to dated construction materials and changes in the way people travel, goods are shipped and the incredible speed of things, unanticipated stress is placed on these roads, waterways, and bridges. While this poses challenges for construction professionals, it is in large part an issue for government to address. Passage of “Building a Better America” provides some promise to improve the state of our critical infrastructure, yet smaller steps are needed by the private sector to shore up vulnerabilities that leave people and property at risk.
Responsibility from Foreseeability
The concept of foreseeability is essential in determining negligence and liability, especially in incidents where moving vehicles collide with stationary objects. Dating back to the seminal case of Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad, “foreseeability” of injury is a prerequisite to determine whether the alleged incident was proximately caused by the breach of some duty. The increasing frequency of collision events in urban settings underscores the urgency of addressing the foreseeability of these harms. It is often argued in litigation over such occurrences that a duty exists to protect property and persons due to an overwhelming base of knowledge that such events are not only possible but increasingly probable. Yet, the solutions surrounding the prevention of vehicle-related harms through the strategic implementation of guardrails, bollards, and innovative protective measures seem to be lagging behind the curve.
Addressing the Harms
To effectively mitigate the risks associated with vehicle collisions, a variety of protective measures can be strategically implemented across urban landscapes and high-risk zones. Guardrails and bollards, commonly used for their robustness, are specifically engineered to absorb impacts or prevent vehicles from encroaching into pedestrian spaces or vulnerable structures like utility poles, storefronts, and building façades. Their placement and material selection are critical. Steel bollards are effectively used in pedestrian-heavy areas or in traffic-exposed storefronts, providing a sturdy barrier against potential vehicular attacks or accidents.
Expanding beyond these conventional solutions, energy-absorbing crash cushions or fenders like those installed at freeway exits and hazardous road curves could be employed. These devices, made from layers of resilient materials, are designed to gradually decelerate a vehicle upon impact, significantly reducing the risk of injury for the occupants and structural damage. Vehicle-arresting systems represent another layer of innovation, especially useful in protecting critical infrastructure and high-security areas. Moreover, in urban settings, the introduction of retractable bollards is a flexible solution that controls vehicle access during specific times or events without permanent alteration to the streetscape.
Implementing these protective measures is not without challenges. Urban planners and property owners often face constraints related to cost, space, and aesthetic considerations. However, the legal implications of failing to detect vulnerabilities, retrofit or originally design such measures, or install or properly maintain such barriers can result in complex liability issues.
Prospective Regulations Are Not Enough
In the United States, the regulations concerning protection systems for bridges, pedestrians, and street-facing businesses vary widely and are governed by a combination of federal, state, and local guidelines. The primary focus of these regulations is typically on enhancing safety and minimizing the risk of vehicular accidents. However, they generally have a forward-looking application and do not impact buildings constructed before implementation. Existing structures, however, may be “grandfathered” into older regulatory frameworks, or may not be subject to current regulations at all, depending on their age and the specifics of local codes. This means that unless these structures undergo significant updates or modifications, they are not legally required to implement the latest safety measures mandated for newer developments. This regulatory gap can lead to inconsistent safety standards, where older, potentially less safe structures coexist alongside new constructions adhering to stringent modern requirements. As a result, while new buildings and facilities benefit from the latest safety technologies and designs, older structures might lack these protective enhancements, potentially increasing risk to pedestrians, vehicles, and patrons. This disparity highlights a crucial area for policymakers to address, aiming to balance historical preservation with public safety needs.
What Can Be Done
For stakeholders ranging from property owners to design professionals, there is a critical need for proactive risk management to mitigate potential liabilities and enhance safety. Stakeholders must look beyond the minimum legal requirements and adopt a forward-thinking approach. It is no longer a defense to the lawsuit to say, “We met the minimum code requirements.” Building owners, particularly those with older properties that fall under outdated regulatory schemes, should consider voluntary safety assessments and upgrades. By implementing modern safety features such as bollards, crash cushions, and other protective barriers, these owners can significantly reduce the risk of vehicle-related accidents. Furthermore, documenting these voluntary upgrades can serve as evidence of due diligence, potentially reducing liability in the event of an accident.
Contractors and developers also play a crucial role in advancing safety standards. They should prioritize the integration of the latest safety technologies and designs, even in projects involving the renovation of older buildings. This includes advocating for and adhering to the newest guidelines and best practices from industry-leading organizations, even when not strictly required by law. Additionally, providing clients with clear, data-driven recommendations about the benefits of incorporating advanced safety measures can help shift the industry toward higher safety standards across all types of construction. Regular training and updates on the latest safety innovations and legal requirements for all team members will further ensure that safety is not only a compliance issue but a foundational aspect of all project planning and execution. This proactive approach not only enhances public safety but also protects businesses from the reputation and financial damages associated with accidents and litigation.
Conclusion
The issue of foreseeability of vehicle collisions with stationary structures encompasses complex legal, practical, and ethical dimensions. As modern transportation continues to evolve, the challenges associated with preventing such incidents demand a multifaceted approach. By recognizing the foreseeability of harm and proactively investing in effective protective measures, the private sector can take significant strides toward safeguarding lives and properties against the unpredictable nature of moving vehicles, even where the government has not done so.
Biography:
William Thomas is a principal at Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC in St. Louis, where he focuses his practice on construction claims and loss prevention. He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, serving on its Construction Law Committee, an AAA Panel Arbitrator, a Fellow with the Construction Lawyers Society of America, and is also a member of the ABA Forum on Construction, AIA, and ASCE. He can be reached at wthomas@gotlawstl.com.