1. Introduction to Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
Cash-in-Transit Vehicles; Cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles are primarily used to secure the transportation of banknotes, coins, and other high-value products and possessions between cash handling depots and financial institutions, cash retailers, and secure cash centers. Countries have their local mandates and ideas for secured transportation of highly valuable materials such as CIT, though safety should come first in such an environment. The need for interoperability and financial bounding with international services other than finance and cash-handling solutions makes it compulsory to design a vehicle to be in utmost reliable condition and to be robust to the dynamic response from impact and striking forces, which are evolving at an alarming rate. The job of a designer, in this case, is to come up with a vehicle able to use engineering protocols and calculations with finite elements, impact force testing, volume security capabilities, and to investigate areas around the vehicle comprising stand boundaries, handles, opening exit and entry, and manipulation that, as a finished vehicle, regardless of whether it is converted or derived, is fit for its purpose.
The paper introduces stakeholders in the domain of cash-in-transit vehicles, including manufacturers, regulators, financiers, and operators, among others. It provides an overview of the existing regulations and work that has already been done in CIT vehicles, including their brief history and scope. It demarcates the earnest attempt to produce a vehicle that is a turnkey solution on the one hand and adheres to safety and operational protocols and standards to suit different classes of secured movement, including the highly precious bullion transport. This paper also means that the involvement of the vehicle manufacturer or specialist upfitter in recommending to the client and operator how to get value for the worth of the vehicle in use for driven kilometers. Similarly, with respect to operation, this paper suggests the minimal-speed range of usage and the quality of handling expected from using the solution posed by the cash secure transport vehicle. It also discusses how to determine when the lifespan of the vehicle has expired and efforts to ensure the lifespan is reached with minimal care to ensure self-redundancy.
2. Regulatory Standards and Compliance
Section 2: Regulatory Standards and Compliance
Strict legal provisions govern the development and operation of CIT vehicles and lay down in great detail the requirements that must be met by both the manufacturers and the CIT operators with regard to the construction and equipment of such vehicles in order to guarantee the safety of the crew, as well as that of the transported valuables. This situation is not called into question on the part of technology suppliers who are themselves bound by the regulatory framework that the authorities have dictated. However, the whole industry must be vigilant with regard to the extent to which new types of developments, which may give rise to some reservations from the authorities, are capable of seeing the light of day and on what conditions. It is therefore of the utmost importance to understand this aspect of the regulatory framework.
This is why it is of prime importance to comply with the laws and regulations as a manufacturer. The security and insurance industry, for their part, are also particularly sensitive to this type of issue. Thus, one of the companies presented in this chapter sought to settle the matter of its compliance with regulatory requirements at an international level. Indeed, the absence of legality in the operation of a vehicle or the export of products that do not comply with national or international standards would have very serious consequences for the concerned parties in terms of image and in terms of prosecution. This is also why many of our discussed companies pass, on a voluntary basis, tests and audits that in effect guarantee the reputation of their vehicles and the services offered. Audits and inspections are also the responsibility of the manufacturer, and several of our presented partners agreed to talk about the choice of route they have taken. It is up to the manufacturer to decide whether he prefers to opt for an external inspection and pay therefor, or whether he prefers self-assessment and self-testing.
3. Key Components and Features
Cash-in-Transit (CIT) vehicles are specifically designed for the secure transportation of cash and valuables, and to provide the highest practicable measure of physical protection for the crew and passengers. A CIT vehicle can increase the attacker’s risk of injury, leave a physical mark, or be tracked or identified electronically. The minimum MPC for precinct-based vehicles is either t+5 or t+6. Some of the key features and components of the vehicles include: 1. Armored Body Design: CIT vehicles are specifically built or armored with a special design of their body to protect the people, precious cargo including cash and valuables, and the vehicle in general against any sort of attack for safe and secure operation. A multidisciplinary approach, where many engineering procedures and materials are in conjunction with each other to achieve the goal, is best for defensive engineering. 2. Secure Locking System: The interior compartment door in the crew cabin is used to separate both the driver and the armed guards’ cabin from the cargo compartment. It is located between the motorized safe and the secure cabin. The door should be designed to withstand a remote explosion attack and should have a weighted mass of no less than 160 kg. An incorporated pivot/beam door 3-point locking system is designed operationally, with a single-step multi-point locking system. 3. Communication and Tracking Features: The vehicle should be equipped with options for easy communication for both the driver and the guards onboard with the operator of the CIT vehicle through special intercoms installed in various parts of the cabin. The vehicle should also have a specialized public announcement system fitted in various sections for easy communication to the public in the event of urgency. The arrangements for audible and visual alarms will be necessary for certain situations. The vehicle should also be capable of a check with CCTV systems installed to prevent suspicious situations. All these are an exceptional status of the CIT safe vehicle, available in the market that now comes with contemporary technology within and has all the compactness necessary to survive through a terror situation. All of the above functions as a reaction to an assault or a terror situation can be used together or separately to make CIT a safe and robust vehicle. This, in tandem with a lot of functions, should not only guarantee that the cash and the arms are safeguarded but that the crew of the CIT are still alive during such a state. All of these resourceful features have been developed very smartly. Since the overall factor is the protection of the crew, however, the filter of all individuals and equipment assumes eternal importance and hence funding, ensuring full compliance.
3.1. Armored Body Design Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
In cash-in-transit vehicles, the crew compartment is protected by the armored body. The armored body is comprised of steel, glass, and other materials that are bonded in such a way as to provide a protective environment for the crew. Its primary function is to protect occupants from ballistic attacks, although it also provides protection against other threats such as fire, IEDs, and ramming. The design and choice of materials are based on performance requirements and weight, center of gravity, and compartment layouts, desired vehicle performance, and manufacturing techniques. The choice of materials and the design criteria used in cash-in-transit vehicles varies little in the secure vehicle industry.
Material selection is a compromise between armor resistance, section modulus, manufacturing cost, and weight in order to achieve an optimal strength-to-weight ratio. The development of armored materials and the progress made have enabled better armored protection to be provided at lighter weights. This material development, combined with the requirement to make armored vehicles less of a target for criminals, has also permitted the reduction in the armor fitted on vehicles, with the additional weight saved by the lighter armor used. A major concern is the crew comfort and cargo handling versus ballistic resistance compromise. The more ballistic resistant an armored body panel is, the thicker and heavier it is, and many vehicles in the right-hand drive state would have their armored bodies so thick that it would restrict the width and size of the side windows for the driver and crew to the extent that passenger handling would be very difficult. Regular testing of armored bodies versus industry standard criteria is necessary to ensure the minimum quality is maintained. Armored body certification is normally required for the body, rather than the entire vehicle. The performance and advantages of the different armored body designs are discussed in the practical applications section. Armored bodies can be classified by their design and material. The subsections that follow examine the different armored bodies, quoting the advantages and disadvantages of each design.
3.2. Secure Locking Systems Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
In this section, two locking systems are analyzed that are intended to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the vehicle contents. Both systems allow for swift operation by authorized personnel. The section discusses the aspects of these systems including effectiveness, advantages, reliability, cost, and flexibility of operation.
Locking Systems Intrinsically linked to the design of secure vehicle bodies is the protection of the vehicle and its contents from unauthorized access. Naturally, this is a significant principle of vehicle operational security, and it is necessary to control and protect the cash transportation process.
There are a number of cash-in-transit vehicles that contain electronic, biometric, and mechanical locking systems, according to the types available in the market. One such electronic locking system uses a movable floor to cover the vault compartment. A control device locks and unlocks access with the help of tilt and move sensors. Such locking systems are autonomous. The electronic lock is activated using a keypad. Some examples of biometric locking systems include the use of fingerprints, among others. These systems, in principle, present considerable security when designed, constructed, and operated correctly. The main issue with locking systems is the cost, but more importantly, ensuring that these systems are an integral security feature of the overall vehicle design and operation. Furthermore, the reliability of the system and conditions of operation must also be ensured. Advantages of these systems are that they are very secure because they are operated electronically or through biometric systems. These models are easy to operate, allowing authorized personnel to open or close in the shortest possible time.
The technology to operate CIT locking systems is advancing. Continuous innovation is being achieved through partnerships between vehicle bodybuilders and locking system suppliers. The use of modern technology is also allowing the combination of vehicle body and integrated locking system to be used through remote monitoring and remote locking units. These units are utilized as part of a building management IT system that connects from the vehicle and locking system head via the vehicle modem to the main control office system. The system can also communicate back to the vehicle; hence, vehicle location and status, as well as locking and alarm functions, can be remotely controlled. It is difficult to compromise a properly designed and functioning locking system if there is no possibility of bypassing the system, since the amount of time required to use high-energy and clean tools is not available. More and more security systems now also incorporate remote point monitoring and maintain an event log of activations. An increasing number of examples are available to illustrate that doors fitted with such locks have stood up to attacks and attempts to compromise the security of the vehicle. However, locking systems are not designed to keep a skilled and equipped hijacker out when he is in a position to give the system his full attention. With crooks continually seeking cash, these systems and the support of the vehicle body must be developed to always be one step ahead and have the capacity to keep them ahead.
3.3. Communication and Tracking Systems Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
Cash collection in the industry is done with the help of CIT operations, and the vehicle is not directly monitored by the vehicle capacity. There are few systems available in the market, like GPS systems, though the same has some limitations. Thus, it is necessary to have effective communication and tracking systems for the operation, to track the vehicle and to have communication between the vehicle and the control room.
3.3.1. GPS-Based Real-Time Vehicle Tracking The system shall be based on the Global Positioning System as a standard method for vehicle tracking. The GPS shall provide real-time vehicle location and route information, which can be very useful in support of CIT operations. The utilization of advanced communication and tracking technology improves efficiency and safety in cash-in-transit operations. When implemented as part of a larger integrated security system for vehicles, drivers, and assets, the tracking component facilitates an immediate response to potential security incidents. Immediate tracking provides the current position of the vehicle to the required authorities, thereby helping vehicle operators respond quickly, leading to increased operational efficiency.
3.3.2. Global Positioning System (GPS) In addition to real-time vehicle location tracking, the selection of a GPS-based vehicle tracking system can also provide route analysis. Route surveillance capabilities allow operators to determine the potential level of danger during the given route’s travel time. The integration between vehicle tracking systems and in-vehicle systems, such as alarms and camera surveillance systems, enhances vehicle occupant safety and asset protection. With the shrinking cost of mobile technologies and the advent of new IoT solutions, tracking systems will become even more complex and manageable. The vast amount of available data will be integrated so that dangerous situation analytics, traffic condition analysis, and similar will result in smarter, alert-based route analysis.
3.3.3. Failure Mode and Contingency Procedures The communications and tracking systems are required to have very high reliability and availability due to the security threats at the movement level. The systems are to be designed to offer the highest levels of fail-safe operation, including providing redundancy in all systems. System failures for the communication and tracking systems may require the use of contingency plans to manage the situation. These systems are fundamental to any communication link between the control room and the vehicle crew or between vehicles. In the case of failure, alternate communication and tracking systems become crucial. The parallel operation of the systems is needed, as any failure in any link may cause higher consequences. It shall be evidenced that the use of commercial power supplies has no effect on the operation of the communication and tracking systems for a period of alternative operation time. In the specific case of possible failure of a system or subsystem, a warning and alert shall be given to the vehicle crew and control room management, where all parallel processes shall be aligned. A viable backup and restore operation shall be in place to assure continuity of operation.
4. Vehicle Performance and Safety Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
The reliability of a cash transport vehicle is based on the overall quality of each component used by the manufacturer. For the cash-in-transit industry, these components include features such as an armored vehicle body, a secure rear-compartment safe, a rugged engine, an absolute braking system, and high-quality interior components to ensure passenger comfort. Engine performance and vehicle horsepower are not of paramount importance for these applications, as the desired operating speed is usually below the posted speed limit, as is the use of a vehicle’s acceleration capability. The performance metrics most important for cash-in-transit vehicles include startability, same-condition gradeability, steady-state gradeability, emergency deceleration, turning radius, and turnover angle. The operator will ascertain these performance characteristics by a combination of the hand and foot controls, as well as gauges and warning lights and/or alarms.
The driver, crew, and vehicle design all contribute to safety and the likelihood of successful emergency response. Driver training and relevant international standards are also used to assure the drivers’ proficiency. Vehicle design and performance are addressed primarily from the dynamic perspective, with some specification of vehicle performance or the consequence of a rollover. The vehicles are subject to regular maintenance schedules. Safety features of mainstream modern vehicles, mandated by the government for the general automotive fleet, such as anti-lock braking and electronic stability control systems, are in use. Cash-in-transit operators will design operating specifications, including vehicle replacement cycles and maintenance specifications to maximize the use of these safety features.
The use of automotive technologies, standard on many light vehicles, may also afford additional safety features for use in cash-in-transit applications, including lane-departure warning systems, roll-stability control, collision avoidance systems, tire pressure monitoring, and/or driver alertness monitoring. These inclusions will increase vehicle safety, including the vehicle’s defense against theft, and minimize the need for emergency response. The processes used by many carriers, from design to retirement, are risk judgment methodologies to reduce the likelihood of an event requiring emergency management, or the adverse consequences thereof, to as low as reasonably practicable.
5. Future Trends and Innovations Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
What will future CIT vehicles look like? While the most exciting benefit of new materials will be in reducing weight, novel materials often present security benefits as well. Surprisingly, a trend towards the use of composite materials, particularly in the manufacturing of armored protection, has been observed. This shift uses some of the physical properties of the new material to improve security. In the coming years, completely new classes of vehicles suitable for the CIT function will likely enter the market. Emerging trends in CIT operations and urban environments will both drive this change. Furthermore, the accelerated change in technology, together with the introduction of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, will add to the vector of design shift. These new designs would include learning-based transport, over-secure vehicles, and automated protection pods. We can expect that the current designs and regulations will have to adapt and merge to those new requirements. Regulatory framework changes: It is quite possible that a reassessment of the safety and security requirements due to the development of security systems would shift focus from the vehicle requirements to the value/requirements the CIT operation would require. The vehicle specifications might actually become softer, while the operation specifications might become more restrictive. Emerging threats and innovations: It is clear that neurological signals used to steer an autonomous vehicle can be hacked. In that sense, the communication and management systems used to drive a vehicle can be hacked too. To protect the CIT operation against this kind of attack, a secure cyber feature must be a vital vehicle feature. Accessibility: Future CIT vehicles may not always be delivering to well-established retail outlets. It could be small locations that are serving personal delivery needs or alternatively accepting returns. As well as providing better visibility, ergonomics, and anti-theft protection in the vehicle design, the vehicle cabin is going to have to have its own specific security systems to prevent theft from and damage to the occupants. Convenience: The increased use of cash recyclers and automatic note and coin dispensers reduces the need for human interaction in the cash supply chain. However, they also reduce the requirement for the carrying capacity and capability of a CIT vehicle. As a result, the lightning-fast electronic transaction could extend to the handling and movement of cash within the vehicle itself. In the future, the physical cash in the vehicle may be fully segregated from the vehicle occupants and moved and disposed of autonomously. Sustainability: The design characteristics of CIT vehicles will continue to adapt to meet the continual shifts in global societal needs. Place the focus on the life cycle thinking that is being forged by worldwide environmental regulation. The energy label and the emission category will continue to have to be met, and so with the development in vehicle types, the energy efficiency of those designs should be explored. The tailpipe emissions may no longer be the key selling point of a power/drive train system in the future. The noise generated by a mechanical system, added to already noisy urban environments, will need to be taken into consideration.
