Classifying vehicle-as-a-weapon attacks: an inductive taxonomy and design implications

Vehicle-as-a-Weapon (VAAW) attacks, distinct from explosive-based vehicle attacks (VBIEDs), pose an evolving threat to public, urban spaces. Existing security guidance overlooks spatial, behavioural, and operational nuances, limiting effective design and response. This paper proposes a multidimensional taxonomy of VAAW attacks, developed using Factor Analysis for Mixed Data and k-means clustering of 135 global cases. Six distinct clusters are identified across three axes: Temporal Attack Complexity, Tactical Sophistication, and Operational Lethality. These clusters are mapped to situational crime-prevention, offering actionable insights for security planners, urban designers, and policymakers. The taxonomy reframes vehicle-based threats not as attacks to be managed through rigid perimeters of protection, but as situated, probabilistic scenarios that require differentiated mitigation; advancing the integration of protective security within broader urban resilience strategies.