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| Pilkington is helping to boost crime detection rates with the development of a new windscreen for police vehicles. | |
 The
screen allows officers to use infrared ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition
- cameras from inside a patrol car. ANPR technology, which automatically reads number plates and instantly identifies 'wanted' vehicles, has dramatically improved detection rates for those forces which have it in operation. But until now, the expensive camera equipment has had to be roof-mounted because conventional solar control windscreens interfere with the picture. Now Pilkington AGR in Queenbrough, working with ANPR specialists PIPS Technology and the South Yorkshire Police, have come up with a solution. They have used a solar control PVB interlayer which uses a different technology. "This material absorbs the infrared radiation rather than reflecting it," said Queenbrough plant manager Peter Swann. "It gives a similar level of solar control but the camera can see through it without interference. "Most importantly, we have been able to combine this with a second interlayer of a brand new material which gives greatly increased impact resistance so the driver is much better protected from external attack." Both materials have been supplied by Pilkington PVB suppliers Sekisui in Japan. "This unique combination has been achieved with a minimal increase in thickness so that the screen can be fitted as a normal replacement screen without any modification of the trims or aperture on the vehicle," said Peter. Other police forces in the UK and in the US are already expressing interest in the new product. "This combination of materials makes possible a profitable niche product for the AGR market," said David Woodcock, AGR new product co-ordinator. |
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| *This article was provided by Pilkington PLC |
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