Baggage Handling? No Problem With SICK Technology

Over the last few years, one ongoing problem for the Airline industry has been bags that don't get away with their owners. But, SICK technology is helping streamline baggage handling systems, not only the UK, but across the globe.

Since the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people jetting off on around the world has dramatically increased. But due staff cuts, luggage organisation in the airports has taken a hit. However, BBC news has reported that the rates of lost luggage is showing signs of recovery after hitting a 10-year high recently - mainly due to using the right automation.

Read BBC News; Lost luggage showing signs of recovery after hitting 10-year high 

After 26 million pieces of luggage were lost, delayed or damaged in 2022 (that's nearly eight bags in every 1000), new data seen by the BBC indicates the situation is improving as passenger numbers return to pre-pandemic levels. SICK are here to help it continue!

Automatic Tag Reading Streamlines Phoenix Airport Advanced
Baggage Handling System

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, USA, unveiled their upgraded concourse in April 2022, with several integrated components creating a high performance and seamless travel experience for customers; five explosives detection systems (EDS), a new inbound carousel, and a conveyor system to transport bags. This has created a more reliable system able to tackle high-speed baggage handling. Automatic tag readers (ATRs) and bag dimensioners from SICK - stationed along 1.5 miles of conveyor belts - play a part in this increased reliability and capacity.

The Ticket to a Better Airport

The airport upgrade also included the amenities you'd expect to see; restaurants, shops, and lounges. But when you are racking up unwanted hours at the airport speaking to your airline and filing in a lost baggage claim, a nice restaurant isn't going to cut it. But thanks to the advanced baggage handling system and SICK, PHX can accurately process around 10,000 bags per day along their miles of conveyor belt.

SICK's bag dimensioners and camera-based ATRs are a part of the impressive remodel. PHX implemented camera-based ALIVISION arrays; these ATRs have consistently good read rates and are especially good at reading bag tags that are poorly printed, damaged by handling, or partially hidden - a key problem for airlines.

Track and Trace

Airport operators have been using one of the most popular forms of track and trace systems for airport baggage since 1993 at Charles de Gaulle Paris: the Airport Luggage Identification System (ALIS) by SICK. The reliable identification of bags plays a decisive role. Demands on the barcode scanners read performance are also rising at a continuous rate, as we all long for some sunshine, and as an increasing number of passengers are checking in online and printing their own baggage labels at home, the quality of labels can deteriorate.

The Barcode is Not The Only Key Factor

The read performance for transfer lines specifically - when bags are moved from one plane to another - tends to be lower than in straight forward bag drop lines. This is mainly because of damaged or contaminated labels during its first leg of the journey. If this results in the system being unable to read the bar codes on the labels, the bag in question can't be assigned to its unique Baggage Source Message.

One Solution, Lots of Applications: The Lector65x System

This innovation from SICK has a lot to offer. The type of camera (fixed focus or dynamics), the number of cameras, and their alignment are customised to the application needed - from reading the top of luggage, all the way to 5-sided reading of bags and suitcases, and can be intelligently combined with other technology used within the system.

There are still gaps in baggage identification, especially in transit and arrivals, however SICK are here to fulfil IATA Resolution753: Reading information printed on the baggage label or saved in an RFID tag. This makes consistent baggage tracking possible and that is why Sick is a market leader in this field with reading stations installed at the largest airports in the world, including Atlanta, Dubai, Tokyo, London and Hong Kong.

Looking for more information? We can help with that...

If you want to know more about SICK Sensor Technology, or have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch on 01254 685900 and our Internal Sales Advisors or Technical Support Engineers will be happy to chat!