A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters particularly suitable for mounting upon the planar surfaces of a vehicle. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can produce visible light, infrared light, or both. A switching system is connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling power to produce visible light and/or infrared light. The luminescent planar sheet includes a protective coating which permits the passage of both visible light and infrared light, but substantially blocks most or all ultraviolet light.

A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system includes a planar plate mounted to one of the horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters affixed upon the planar plate so as to be seen from the air. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can selectively produce visible light, or light invisible to the human eye. Where the planar luminescent panel produces heat to create non-visible infrared indicia, it is preferred that the planar luminescent sheet include an insulator layer positioned under the infrared producing layer so as to prevent heat from dissipating into the vehicle's metal surface.

A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system preferably includes a planar plate mounted to one of the horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters affixed upon the planar plate so as to illuminate upwardly so as to be seen from the air. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can selectively produce visible light, or infrared light, or both. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light bar affixed to the planar plate. The light bar is positioned to illuminate primarily horizontally so as to be seen by those on the ground. Preferably, the luminescent planar sheets are connected by wiring to the light bar so that luminescent planar sheet obtains power from the light bar.