Pilomat RBM: Maximum Security for UEFA EURO 2024.

The recent UEFA European Football Championship was held without any major public security incidents. The successful organisation of the tournament ensured the safety of participating teams and delegations, UEFA staff, supporters and tourists, journalists, local residents and the law enforcement agencies operating in the many host cities throughout the competition.

Part of this success was made possible by Pilomat, the Italian manufacturer whose temporary hostile vehicle mitigation systems were deployed in urban areas and around stadiums to secure controlled vehicle access points. The solution selected was the Road Blocker Mobile (RBM), an innovative modular road blocker that requires no permanent ground anchoring.

"Pilomat RBM road blockers were deployed in Stuttgart during match days," explains Alessandra Acerbis, Sales Manager at Pilomat. "Until 3:00 p.m., the RBM blocking elements remained lowered, allowing authorised vehicles—such as residents, commercial traffic and delivery vehicles—to enter the controlled areas. After 3:00 p.m., the blocking elements were raised, closing the access point to vehicles while continuing to allow pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles to pass."

Pilomat RBM proved to be an ideal solution for protecting public squares and temporary event areas with large numbers of visitors. The system simply rests on the ground and allows the safe passage of pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility and all authorised vehicles. When the movable blocking element is raised, however, unauthorised vehicle access is effectively prevented.

Despite featuring the smallest certified modular configuration currently available on the market, the robust structure of RBM and its patented anchoring system prevent it from being displaced, even if pushed by a vehicle. As a result, access points can remain securely closed without requiring continuous on-site supervision.

"With RBM, Pilomat set out to deliver the highest level of protection using the most compact certified modular configuration available," continues Alessandra Acerbis. "Among the many crash tests carried out, the one performed for ISO 22343-1:2023 certification best demonstrates RBM's exceptional resistance. Our road blocker was tested in a configuration consisting of two side modules with movable blocking elements and one central pedestrian module, successfully stopping a 7.5-ton truck travelling at 50 km/h. This represents an international benchmark for the protection and resilience of public spaces."

Versatile and Modular Access Control

Pilomat's Road Blocker Mobile (RBM) has been specifically designed to provide temporary protection for roads, public squares and outdoor event areas.

The system consists of an elevated drive-over platform with approach ramps on both sides and a central manually operated blocking element that can be raised or lowered according to operational requirements, allowing or preventing the passage of cars and heavy vehicles.

Its modular design enables multiple blocking modules to be connected, creating barriers of virtually any required length. Blind pedestrian modules can also be integrated into the configuration, while the system is fully compatible with OktaBlock, providing even greater flexibility in the design of temporary hostile vehicle mitigation solutions.

RBM can be installed on virtually any road or pedestrian surface. Each module can be assembled in approximately 20 minutes without excavation, permanent anchoring or other civil works.

The integrated handle makes manual raising and lowering of the blocking element quick and straightforward, while optional side ramps facilitate access onto and off the platform, further improving ease of use.