The Secrets Behind Making Melbourne a Baggage Handling Showcase, 14th May 2010
Melbourne Airport is doing all it can to maximise the efficiency of its baggage operations as a major passenger and freight gateway to Australia, it handles up to 20,000 pieces of luggage each day through Terminals 2, 3 and 4.
So it’s not surprising that it’s adopted a high tech robust approach to the baggage handling component of its T2 international expansion with the introduction of the latest European model high speed tilt tray baggage sortation combining with smart technology to make it the most technologically advanced airport in Australia.
The outbound sortation system with a total of nine new make-up carousels and 500m of tilt tray sorter add to the list of major systems installed by baggage and freight technology company BCS Airport Systems Pty Ltd, which has notched up successful installations in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Middle East and in all major airports throughout Australia.
The high tech, high speed combo is the result of a partnership between Denmark’s Crisplant, providing the tilt tray sorters (TTS), and BCS Airport Systems Pty Ltd whose conveyors and high level controls will ensure it is fully integrated with the entire baggage and automated controls system.
This high speed sorting device streamlines baggage handling behind the scenes, taking bags over long distances on individual trays before ‘tipping’ the bag off at the correct loading location. The high speed TTS ensures baggage is delivered quickly to each sortation carousel thus reducing the chance of bags missing flights. In addition the solution is incorporating the latest in energy efficient power drives for the tilt tray sorters minimising the carbon footprint of the system.
Simon Gandy, Executive General Manager for Melbourne Airport is very clear on the importance of having an effective, efficient baggage operation to the airport. “We have invested heavily in growing the relationship with BCS to provide effective operations on the day whilst at the same time investing in new infrastructure to support our growth strategy. Passengers and airlines can expect our facilities to be efficient and reliable as part of their journey through the airport and that is exactly what we will continue to give them as we grow. The new development is a great example of how our businesses are working together to integrate the latest technology to future proof the growth of Melbourne Airport as the gateway to Melbourne and Victoria.”
David Jerram, General Manager at BCS Airport Systems said the project followed the signing of a Relationship Framework Contract (RFC) between his company and the airport back in 2008.
“Our client (Melbourne Airport) relies on us to provide an intelligent solution that has the ability to detect bags in the system that otherwise would be at risk of missing flights and alert operators accordingly. This is done via BCS’ new SCADA software known as Sym3 – a 3D package which graphically shows where every bag is within the BHS up until the time it is delivered to the make-up carousel for loading."
David Jerram said APAM’s determination to future proof its baggage handling to cope with increasing numbers had led to significant investment in redundancy in the system; with improved reliability coming from the extensive backup.
“The real challenge for us is to ensure the airport runs smoothly during the BHS upgrade as we have three different tie ins to the existing system. We must ensure the new TTS is fully tested and proven before implementing each of the overnight cutovers. Given we have done this many times now we are certain it will be seamless to the airport operations.”
David Jerram said the baggage handling RFC makes BCS responsible for the whole of life cycle of the baggage handling system at Melbourne Airport from design and simulation through supply, installation followed by operations and maintenance.
He said the agreement was a break from an industry-wide tradition, moving away from the adversarial, lowest common denominator approach of competitive tendering, to a long term partnership approach which delivers long term value for all concerned.
BCS North America secures first controls project in Hawaii
BCSNA has been awarded the BHS High level controls and information systems contract for the Kahului Airport in Maui.
BCSNA are working as a lead subcontractor to the Horsley Company, members of the 5 Star Alliance Group.
BCSNA was selected given its international reputation as a specialist in the field of airport baggage handling systems - particularly in the high risk area of design, development and implementation of sortation high level controls and information systems that interface between the conveyor control systems and the airport and airline information systems.
BCSNA will engineer and manage the project from its offices in San Jose, California.
A key component of the BCSNA engineering approach will be to use the BCS “Virtual Airport” product to test systems before site commissioning. Prior to the system ‘going live’, BCSNA will simulate potential system failures and test actual site software and hardware as an integrated package. This is achieved by emulating the actual conveyor system while incorporating ‘real time’ Airport flight and passenger data.
BCSNA will assist the Horsley Company in interfacing where necessary with the State Airport Authorities the General Contractor, resident airline personnel, and BNP Associates the BHS Consultancy for the project.
The project is due for completion in late 2009.
Melbourne Airport and BCS Group sign historical framework agreement covering BHS services.
Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne and BCS Group have signed a five year framework agreement covering all aspects of Baggage Handling. This comprehensive and revolutionary agreement makes BCS responsible for the whole of life cycle of the BHS system at Melbourne Airport from design and simulation through supply, installation followed by operations and maintenance.
This agreement moves away from the adversarial lowest common denominator approach of competitive tendering and instead takes a long term partnership approach whereby both parties share potential benefits and efficiencies through a strategic and cooperative approach.
Under the agreement BCS will expand its dedicated BHS team at Melbourne Airport and will implement KPI’s for guaranteed service levels which will increase overall operating efficiency for the airport.
The agreement covers developments over the next 5 years (with an option for a further 5 years) with an estimated value of $50m AUD.
Patrick Teo CEO of BCS commented “The signing of the RFC is a major milestone for BCS and we are truly grateful to Melbourne Airport for having the belief in us. To us it acknowledges the great working relationship we have built up over the past few years and obviously the level of confidence Melbourne Airport has with both BCS people and equipment.
The signing has been very rewarding for everyone at BCS who makes the company as strong as what it is.”
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Chris Woodruff added “The RFC confirms the relationship that we have developed with BCS over the past ten years. The partnership approach is premised on both parties commitment to excellence and to servicing the needs of our customers, in this regard we believe that BCS are ideal partners for Melbourne Airport”.
BCS engaged on Brisbane International Terminal Expansion Project
BCS was successful in being awarded the BHS contract for the multi million dollar Brisbane International Expansion Project.
Bovis Lend Lease(BLL) were engaged by Brisbane Airport Corporation(BAC) as Principal Contractor to expand the Brisbane International terminal by extending the existing terminal to accommodate more check in facilities, retail outlets and a larger baggage handling facility. This also includes and extension of the Northern Concourse with new passenger bridges to accommodate passenger growth and facilities for the new A380 aircraft. BNP are the BHS consultancy firm engaged by BLL that have provided the entire BHS specification, selecting BCS as the preferred BHS contractor.The overall BHS scope was large with 3 entire new check in rows (with group check in facilities), a new inbound and outbound oversize facility and extending the sorting system for 5 new make up loops and an additional lateral, plus 3 new arrival ICD carousels (2 x 90m & 1 x 70m) with associated inbound claim feed conveyors that are loaded from the airside apron.
Incorporated into the works, BCS also provided the design and installation of the BHS structural steel, 13 new MCP’s, general transport conveyors that are compliant with the BNP standard specification, a mixture of new high speed diverters, ploughs, and Camsorts for sorting and load balancing, upgrading existing conveyors to provide faster throughput of the existing system, more redundancy within the BHS system and new High level controls(HLC) and upgrading the existing HLC system to accommodate the expanded BHS.
BCS is on track to deliver the project successfully with a core staff of 17 rising to 100 on site, and additional support from BCS mechanical and controls engineers in Melbourne and Auckland as required .The expansion project team are working closely with BCS Operations and maintenance staff who are the incumbent BHS maintenance team to ensure a seamless transition and integration of the existing and new systems.
The BCS approach of working closely with all stakeholders including BAC, BLL and BNP and looking beyond the obvious ensures that this complex project will be delivered within the aggressive timelines required.
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