The Auckland company behind an innovative anti-graffiti system says it's looking to sell it internationally.
The system sprays pressurised water on the tagger's target when sensors are triggered.
[image:3123:half:right]Graffiti Security Systems' latest version, known as Stormrail, was installed in the Palmerston North railyards on 20 July to protect the Capital Connection train that runs daily between Palmerston North and Wellington.
If someone approaches the train at night, sensors are triggered and a pressurised flow of water covers it, preventing aerosol paint from sticking.
Operations manager Anthony Bicknell says there have been no successful acts of vandalism in the past two months and they're looking to capitalise on their success.
"We've got patents in New Zealand, Australia and the UK," he says, "and we've got patent-pending status in the United States, which we're soon to achieve, I hope.
"We've had some inquiries from Australia and UK at this stage which are fairly encouraging, but I want to do as much work as I can in New Zealand before we start looking at taking it offshore."
KiwiRail pleased with results
KiwiRail Commercial Manager Neil Buchanan says the technology has been tested extensively and works well.
He says while protective coatings and misting systems are relatively expensive, they have emerged as the most effective in controlling graffiti.
KiwiRail says it may use the Stormrail system in other areas, such as Wellington and Auckland, and there has been interest from rail authorities in Australia.
