Description
Design and Specifications of Armored Money Transport Vehicles
1. Introduction to Armored Money Transport Vehicles
Armored money transport vehicle s are used for the secure transportation of valuables such as cash, bank cards, and securities. Both the volume and weight of these valuables have increased in response to the growing use of bank cards. Furthermore, the advent of bank concourse ATMs has increased the demand for armored money transport vehicles designed to carry special-purpose cassettes that can be loaded directly into the ATMs. It is thought to be only a matter of time before these trends generate a demand for armored vehicles that can transport “super-heavy” and “super-large-volume” goods. Armored vehicles for cash transport are the oldest type of armored transport vehicle and first appeared in the 1920s. The immediate background was the frequent attacks against these transports.
Special trucks are used for moving valuable goods between the country’s central banks and commercial banks. In Japan, such trucks are specifically designed as two-compartment vehicles. The type of armored vehicle chosen depends on factors such as the user, the user’s requirements, and operating conditions. The armored transport trucks in use are designed mostly with security as a primary concern. In contrast, the vans used by armored transport companies to make stops along their scheduled runs are designed mainly with the transport and handling of money in mind. Until recently, considerations of vehicle performance were more important than layout. In other words, designers were somewhat passive, limiting their creativity in designing a vehicle to meet a predetermined security specification. That approach seems to be changing in response to the perpetually changing security environment. However, many users’ security specifications still tend to reflect what security measures have been most concerning not long before. There is an astonishingly large variety of security requirements, reflecting the transformation of the current market and changes prompted by recent armed attacks. In particular, transportation safety is now a significant issue. Hence, the vehicle has to be equipped with at least the minimum safety items regardless of its size. Also, unlike other vehicles, its filter is shown by Tank TK. The proprietary device filters out fine particulate matter and prevents particles from permeating into the cabin. It also filters out toxic gases. The size and armoring of necessary vehicles have changed over a relatively short period. Generally speaking, requirements such as moving from Category I (small-sized) vehicle to Category II (medium-sized) or from Category II to Category III (large-sized) vehicle are considered the most challenging, prompting changes in vehicle structure to accommodate increases in size and gross vehicle weight.
2. Design Considerations Armored money transport vehicle
The design of any kind of armored vehicle is shaped by the desired protection level, required dimensions and weight, and integrated passive and active protection systems against explosive devices, which are relevant for target operations. In the case of ‘cash-in-transit’ (CIT) operations, vehicles are generally designed with three main objectives in mind. First, an armored vehicle should be secure when statically stationed; whether situations of stopped vehicles are originated from some kind of problem with the vehicle or when the vehicle is engaged in the delivery or retrieval operations from an ATM. Second, the vehicle should ensure a safe and effective operation when moving in the public environment performing ‘cash-in-transit’ activities. Third, in the case of evacuation from the vehicle being blocked, the design should guarantee a good condition for the safe ejection of its occupants.
Ballistic protection is a key factor when designing an armored vehicle. Vehicle shells must have a steel-only construction or sandwich-type construction. The latter assembly would be composed of three main materials: (outer layer) aluminum, titanium or exotic material, a ballistic ceramic material, and an aramid or composite fabric. Bullet-resistant glass or transparent armor must be used for windows and they will be fixed. Compactness for the same ballistic protection is an important feature: extremely high-volume vehicles would experience some issues related to maneuverability, while very heavy vehicles have higher costs of operation due to higher fuel consumption and wear. The commercial speed for cash-in-transit vehicles is limited to 90–110 km/h, which would not cause significant damage to the fittings even in the case of off-road operation. Other fittings of the vehicle give no major constraints since investments should also be made for the mechanism for pneumatic door opening, and alarms/emergency systems, etc.
2.1. Ballistic Protection
2.1. Ballistic Protection
Increasing the occupant’s protection level against armed assaults is one of the main aspects to consider when designing an armored vehicle. Ballistic protection of passenger compartments, together with the external armoring, makes up most of the requirements for armored vehicles stemming from regulations. The ballistic protection can be dichotomized into two categories: protection against firearms and protection against explosive devices. Firearms resistance can further be divided into puncture resistance and spall liner requirements.
The level of resistance against firearms is distinguished by international standards and legislation, which define various ballistic levels depending on ammunition and caliber. Regarding the resistance against explosive devices, such as mines, vehicle improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are classified for blast overpressure and fragments. The chosen materials for ballistic armoring depend on the performance required from the vehicle. Metals such as steel are very good at stopping ordinary ammunition; higher levels of protection can be obtained by integrating lighter materials into the structure, such as aramid fibers or more advanced ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). UHMWPE composites currently offer the best compromise between protection, weight, and volume and can stop armor-piercing bullets in combination with other certified materials.
Ballistic armor application can either be internal (i.e., layered sheets of materials) or external (i.e., separate modules attached to the structure). System variations on these two design concepts are also possible. Regardless of armor arrangement, ballistic testing and development of the system from the design stage to manufacturing are crucial points. Latest technologies have enabled ballistic designers to enhance the performance of armored vehicles by increasing protection levels and reducing final weights. Besides lightweight and efficient materials, a proper design framework allows vehicle armoring strategies with more robustness, blast mitigation, and reduced vehicle signatures. The accurate insulation, impact absorption, energy dissipation, and reduced back face deformation properties of composite structures are the main reasons the use of these structures as ballistic armor is justified and specified.
Regular ballistic tests on either single materials or multi-materials in order to evaluate threats, or complex systems to validate the performance, must follow strict test plans and standards. Re-certification at the system level during the vehicle life cycle must also be considered. Furthermore, following tests, proper assessment through thermo-mechanical analysis with advanced multi-physics simulation tools ensures the proper functioning of the design concept. Extensive integration procedures for armored vehicles are needed, as the ballistic design must be tailored to a response-readiness level that is acceptable according to safety principles for the tailored operational environment. Therefore, an AMT vehicle’s performance, especially payload, stability, and handling, is directly affected by the level of protection. Thus, to consider an AMT vehicle rigid, its ballistic protection strongly affects the tasks of banknotes unloading, balancing, and handling.
2.2. Vehicle Size and Weight
To provide an increased level of protection during cash-in-transit operations, armored money transport vehicles are widely employed. Large capital outlays reflect a need to have an understanding of requirements and trade-offs made when designing such vehicles. A variety of factors such as local law, protection level, and operational requirements influence operational and design choices. This section discusses vehicle size and weight in terms of armored vehicles for the transport of cash and valuables. The impacts of vehicle mass on vehicle maneuverability significantly depend on the size, shape, and capabilities of the vehicles that are examined. In general, the larger the vehicle, the more its mass will not negatively affect its maneuverability on many urban roads. However, larger, heavier vehicles are unlikely to be as maneuverable as their lighter counterparts on specially designed training courses or in open spaces.
Laws and regulations may constrain vehicle size and weight requirements to some extent. In many industrialized countries, mass and dimension restrictions govern vehicle design and equipment. Different regions may have different restriction levels that need to be respected. Even if designs are unrestricted by regulation, they may be restricted by local operation standards. Regulatory requirements and operation-based limitations on vehicle mass and dimensions must be carefully considered both during vehicle design and at the beginning of the operational planning process. The weight of a vehicle significantly affects braking performance, maximum velocity, and fuel economy. No protection system can be truly lightweight. More armor is almost always associated with a heavier vehicle. Manufacturers and operators, therefore, need to be aware of linkages and trade-offs between vehicle weight and overall safety. Reducing weight without reducing protection typically raises costs. It may both reduce vehicle performance and increase risk for operators if done without care. There are, however, design techniques and materials that can be adopted to reduce weight without affecting overall protection. The tremendous damage afforded by many of these will often come as a shock to the occupational OEM simply as a result of a new understanding of the potential explosive power of small, cheap, stand-off munitions.
Vehicle width and length are often not so important to operators of armored vehicles. In general, the use of space during operation is often the main operator priority. For money transport purposes, cargo capacity is essential. However, in some parts of the world where heavy urbanization has led to traffic paralysis, vehicle size in terms of length and width can be an issue. In this section, the main parameters of vehicle weight, exterior size, and interior size are assessed in relation to design.
2.3. Security Features
Armored money transport vehicles are equipped with a series of security systems that make it difficult for thieves to break in and, even if they manage to break in, enhance the vehicle’s defense capacities. Modern-day armored vehicles lock the access doors and hatches using electrically, pneumatically, or mechanically operated locking systems. In some cases, the access doors are protected with the help of multi-point locking systems. The locking system is integrated with the vehicle control systems and can be monitored or controlled remotely. The vehicle is equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance technology that includes a network of cameras and tracking systems that allow surveillance of the vehicle’s location and operation in real time from a distant and secured location. The vehicle is also equipped with a closed cabin driving system that can deliver high-quality live video streaming to the remote monitor.
The vehicle’s sighting systems are not only very reliable but also give alerts of any sudden changes in the surrounding environment. Modern-day armored money transport vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art emergency communication systems with wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. The vehicle also comes with high-tech armored specific alarm systems and sensors such as internal/external door alarms that can alert the driver of any attempted breach of security. Depending on the security and risk analysis of the organization and its operations, all the security systems can be connected to a local 24/7 security monitoring station. To deter any possible criminal activities, many organizations have also fitted cash-tracking systems to reduce the risk of cash loss during vehicle operation. Also, the security features, such as door access, can be remotely managed by security managers for specific reasons under strict protocols. Lastly, security entails continuous monitoring and updates as risks constantly change, as does the need for security reinforcements.
3. Performance Specifications
The performance specifications of armored money transport vehicles are as important as the level of protection. Below are the possible performance specifications for armored money transport vehicles: Speed: Speed directly affects the time taken to deliver cash from central banks to vending machines. A balance must be struck between the operational benefits of reduced delivery times and the safety concerns of high-speed driving. Acceleration: Again, quicker vehicle acceleration can deliver operational benefits. Braking Distance: The braking system must be efficient under different load conditions. Fuel Efficiency: The money transport system spans long distances, and the transport of equipment, provision, and personnel must be optimized in order to reduce operational costs and eliminate excessive consumption of fuel, which is also environmentally unfriendly. Unsprung mass due to additional protective armoring has an impact on a cash truck’s ability to carry larger amounts of cash. A chassis that is higher off the ground can provide greater protection against landmine attacks but will compromise the stability of the cash truck. An anti-landmine chassis is part of the final system specification and is taken into account when conducting the vulnerability assessment for the system. Vulnerability Assessment: A number of specifications are taken directly from available vehicle technical data, appended with specifications from other vehicles that satisfy the performance requirements described. Performance vs. Security: It is important not to compromise vehicle performance in favor of security features; a balance must be struck. It is important that comprehensive testing is conducted to verify the capability of the vehicle to meet the requirements under operational conditions. Other operational parameters, such as the ability to carry a certain amount of cash, and sensors, such as GPS tracking, should also be configurable. The development of an ideal armored money transportation system is not easy, but a level of operational flexibility can be introduced by designing the system based on separate modular elements.
3.1. Speed and Acceleration
Three aspects of vehicle performance were identified in the introduction as major criteria for the development of a new money transport vehicle: speed, maneuverability, and climbing capability. They are of appropriate standing to warrant detailed discussions.
3.1. Speed and Acceleration In order to achieve good performance in demanding and changing markets, the brand-new type of money transport vehicles has to compete with similar protection or luxury standard cars available in the consumer market. Primarily, good engine capabilities resulting in high speed and a short time needed for maximum speed achievement are potentially indicative of the vehicle’s suitability to operate in urban areas. The engine for those units is better to be too powerful than too weak. The payload would only make a difference for maximum speed if using the inertia method. Acceleration is also a priority in order to be able to find a safe haven quickly if an external attack takes place. Also, the ability to escape is a principal measure of passive protection quality. As long as the cash transport vehicle is not able to carry out an offensive mission, one of its main objectives is to avoid a confrontation with potentially hostile elements.
Good acceleration is obtained by combining a good power-to-weight ratio with a proportional torque available at an equally proportional value. The installation of a powerful engine is almost ample to cover speed and especially acceleration criteria. Some engine increases can improve this power-to-weight ratio. A quick-responding and smooth engine has a determinant role in ensuring acceleration security, a crucial behavior in low-speed operations. It is to be taken into account that the vehicle will cover an important weight because of its protection means. Some engine tuning actions could consist of accelerograph adaptation for short travel and reactions, the filtering of harmful gases, optimization of engine electronics by using modern programs, and all other actions that may lead to an overall increase in engine efficiency. Aerodynamics could be improved by a suitable modification of bodywork deflection. The engine manufacturer’s technical specifications should be observed.
3.2. Braking Distance
Perhaps the most critical performance specification for safe operation is the braking distance required under full load. Several factors directly affect braking performance. First and foremost is the weight of the vehicle as it will be operated. The size of the vehicle must also be considered, as a larger passenger area will provide a greater surface area facing wind resistance, particularly a problem in the case of continued operation after a tire deflation. The officer’s reaction time to a situation is about 1 second. The vehicle speed must be considered when planning braking improvements. Shorter braking time requirements result in a sudden increase in stopping force per second, which in turn reduces lateral tire-road adhesion on a recumbent turn. On the other hand, there is a braking time limit since the mass of the vehicle is small and no advantage will be gained by decreasing it.
The condition of the braking system has an effect on the total stopping distance. This includes the braking surface of the tires and the brake squeal condition. Brake wear characteristics and load proportioning are accounted for by considering a single minimum coefficient of friction between tire and road surface. All of these factors mandate very low specific stops if overall vehicle stopping performance is to remain high. Since the majority of armored vehicles are built on standard light-duty passenger vehicle chassis, brakes, and suspension, these components require changes to account for changes in gross vehicle weight, payload, and performance. Retardation will suffer if it is not appropriately addressed when braking becomes necessary for the protection of either the driver or the passenger, particularly when an evasive maneuver by the driver is required.
3.3. Fuel Efficiency
Money transport vehicles require substantial quantities of fuel for propulsion, covering considerable distances on a daily basis during service. Therefore, fuel efficiency is just as important a performance specification as security against an attack. Potential fuel savings produce a corresponding reduction in operational expenses and concomitant decreases in transport service charges in an increasingly competitive market. In environmental terms, fuel consumption contributes to the carbon footprint of money transport operations. This is a consideration in vehicle purchase, particularly following environmental standards. There are many factors influencing fuel efficiency in company operations, including the engine’s type and capacity, the hybrid technology utilized, the vehicle weight, the way in which the vehicle is operated, the speed of the journey, the route it takes, and the testing conditions. The downsizing of engines, the reduction of vehicle weight, and the improvement of aerodynamics have all contributed to improved fuel economy in the automotive industry. Nonetheless, these considerations must be balanced with maintaining security standards in money transport vehicles. Vehicle and route optimization is one method of reducing fuel consumption in the money transport industry. Transport companies also seek to acquire more fuel-efficient vehicles, as suggested by the number of requests for vehicles that can meet performance standards. Driver workload is reduced slightly by fuel-efficient vehicles since the same journey can be completed with a longer gap between refueling stops, as a result of reduced fuel consumption. From the assessment of the above response, fuel efficiency is clearly a performance-related characteristic of a money transport vehicle. The capability of the vehicle to resist an attack, on the other hand, is more important.
4. Interior Features
Cabin layout is crucial for both comfort and safety. Working closely with the customer, we choose an ergonomic design that ensures crew members can move inside the cabin with the least movement of their hands and always have their eyes turned outside the vehicle. The options can include seating arrangements at the sides or back of the cabin that are accomplished to fulfill the operator’s need for the maximum quantity of soldiers or equipment that can be transported. Moreover, the vehicle’s layout determines how efficiently the medical and radio interactive operator operations can be completed while the vehicle is on the move. An efficient layout will ensure that the vehicle’s capabilities during the operations are realized to their fullest. The addition of advanced communication equipment, ensuring accurate positioning data and real-time situational awareness, optimizes the operational capabilities of the vehicle’s equipment, guaranteed by the strong integration of the control console and graphic machine interface that work perfectly in any light conditions. Moreover, the communication equipment must grant real-time data exchange, allowing all the crew to be aware at any time of the operation’s status.
Safety is also enhanced by design: crews can feel safe working in a vehicle with a heavily reinforced hull and spall liners to minimize damage from blasts and shrapnel. Where VIPs are concerned, the interior design can convey exclusivity and glamour. The safe transport and secure storage offered by armored compartments and a modifiable cabin make the class of vehicles the first choice for embassies and embassy service providers, armed forces, and police. The armed forces, police, and allied armed organizations must outfit their armored vehicles with sophistication that goes beyond just an armored underbelly and enhanced cabin protection. An armored personnel carrier that can enhance troop capabilities and morale with improved battlefield communications is key, followed by seating layout on the main deck, sleeping quarters, WC/urinals, and office space. Flexibility in seating arrangements with retractable tables is also important. Longtime operations in an armored vehicle cannot confine a crew of two to working without space to stretch, exercise, and move. An organized approach to transportation and operations in the field for the side of a multinational forces coalition, embassies, and military branches would distinguish and separate one armored money transport from another.
4.1. Cabin Layout Armored money transport vehicle
4.1. Cabin Layout
The cabin layout is the most critical aspect of AMTs used in cash-in-transit operations, and therefore should be designed with maximum attention to what the crew in the cabin actually has to do. When designing the layout of the crew cabin, the routing of various tasks the crew member(s) need to perform is of vital importance, as is the operation sequence of these tasks. In current general AMT cabins, the crew board the vehicle, retrieve the loot from a retailer, and then count and sort the loot. This work includes regular counting of the so-called ‘float’ to change larger banknotes and coins for smaller ones needed by retailers, and to have plenty of change to ensure that enough change is carried on board to avoid having to return large denomination currency notes and coins to the bank. At the end of the run, the return to the point of origin, banknotes and coins are then loaded onto the van and carried back to the CMS. None of these tasks can be readily automated, and so are performed by the crew.
Clearly, the actual banking operations are not part of the job of the crew, although they do need to facilitate this to be performed in a manner required by the CMS. With this in mind, the most important design project in the crew cabin is the arrangement of the tasks the crew member(s) do perform. There must be easy and comfortable access to the center and rear of the cabin from the doors without hindrance to the crew when in the performance of their duties. The suspension seating arrangement should provide comfortable seating, and it is suggested that this should be along the rear of the vehicle, and the more that is purchased the better. The expectation is that it is desirable to have one suspension seat for every two crew members, with at least one, and generally no more than two, for the driver. There are a number of safety considerations to be given to the crew cabin, considering violence towards the crew supporting, or associated with, the cash transportation service, which have to be addressed when designing this part of a crew cabin. Substantial research demonstrates that if staff feel that they are secure at work, they work better and more efficiently. Purposely transporting the loot or valuables in such a manner that crew members are seen by any would-be robber is recommended. This will have the added effect of significantly reducing the opportunities for a non-confrontational attack against the crew.
4.2. Communication Systems
Communication systems are an essential component of the system of operation and should be designed to provide comprehensive real-time communication from the operator to the crew and the controls and indicators of the working environment. For this purpose, real-time communication inside and outside the facility in armored money transport vehicles between operators and crew should be provided. The high level of situational awareness and coordination that exists in best practice protected operations is driven, in part, by the real-time communications systems. The common technology used to these ends in new vehicles is VHF radios, while older vehicles may use UHF radios to provide coverage across their operations. Systems and contracts globally have been written to provide satellite communications as a continuous backup system. This provides direct phone and tracking communication of the complete vehicle position directly to base.
The emergency communications system should include a mobile phone, intercom, or public address system to be used to contact the base if an emergency situation occurs. This may include vehicle crew involvement in immediate response. Any introduction of new technology to replace or augment the existing needs to be considered in the existing operation, the training, and the communications. Regular updating of systems may also be needed for compliance with legal and operational improvements. Routine maintenance and testing of the system communication integrity performance tools need to be installed in any system. New communication methods such as MIR, IR, and voice data encryption and private satellite communications have been considered as a front line interface of any future system or upgrade. In addition, the efficiency of the regular handheld UHF system outclasses the technology available on most armored car hard installation systems for clearing radio transfers in an emergency. Advances in improved technology capability directly impact crew safety. A move to a mobile data embedded system also allows the use of GPS systems to further improve situational awareness. New systems will be introduced as quickly as possible to improve operational capability.
Communication methods are of no use if their potential is neglected. In new systems and installations, the need for operator training is paramount in ensuring accurate and efficient operations and for high-pressure exercising of the working procedure. Operating controls and indicator systems are to be installed inside the vehicles. The use of armored vehicle air phone systems should be discouraged as a result of a study made by the ATF. The ATF reviewed armored car operations after a spate of enforcement operations that revealed wide-scale incompetence, combined with non-secure transports. It was determined that a dedicated non-anonymous restricted national system should be implemented on a radio data system that is broadcast in the public access market to include some secure transaction information. Armored car and cash-processing facilities may also use the system to record times of deposits of cash and checks and alert the ATM and cash processors to the number.
5. Conclusion and Future Developments Armored money transport vehicle
Money or valuables transportation vehicles are used to carry cash, coins, and other valuables to and from banks, ATMs, retailers, and the Federal Reserve. The design of these vehicles is related to the security of both the transported cash and the personnel inside. The terminals are typically located on the cab, and connections are secured on the middle frame of the truck. In conclusion, the design of these vehicles is focused on the security and operational performance required by the federal agencies and banking industry as a whole. They define minimum security performance levels as well as certain operational performance related to cash handling and the impact on the truck. Since both the fleets of trucks and personnel required to operate them are large and will be constantly moving cash, the ability to move nearly all of the cash makes the opposite task of robbing the vehicle attractive. The outer security of the vehicles has generally been updated with the improvements in threats, including up-armoring in response to the proliferation of high-powered rifles. Many of the designs feature two or three security layers. These vehicles today are also seeing the integration of newer technologies that can reduce overall costs by increasing efficiencies, including weight savings due to electronic interlocks and careful design as well as telematics. Armored money transport vehicles are now being designed with additional consideration for the health, safety, and security of the armed guards who are responsible for the transport. Future transformations in managing the transport of cash and valuables might include utilizing autonomous systems to carry out transportation functions, active warning systems using national information networks while in transit, augmented wireless communications for on-the-move updating of vehicle security data, partnerships between manufacturers, bank personnel, regulatory agencies, and academic researchers to move the industry standards forward, and continued R&D aimed at sustaining the lessons being learned in transportation security. With every van and vehicle ever manufactured, and the many millions of miles logged, no known terrorist or violent criminal has ever succeeded in breaching the interlocked security of a vehicle to access the personnel side of the vehicle. For a determined hostile, the industry has proven less resistive, as the armored vehicle heist demonstrates, but even in this case, the vehicle resisted all attempts to breach the main security cage. No one side of the security allowed the determined criminal to access the personnel side; rather, it was a series of security layers from communications to terminal security that allowed for the actors to effect access at the personnel door.
