Baggage handling systems
How can airports reduce lost baggage significantly without disturbing the regular business?
Schiphol airport commissioned Scarabee to develop a fully working test and training baggage handling simulation system. The resulting Maxibas system is used to test new and changed baggage system software and technology prior to implementation, allowing Schiphol to operate at full strength with no hindrance for passengers. It is used to train staff in operational situations, for what-if scenarios, and allows them to practise for calamity situations. The system is now the standard, future-proof Schiphol test tool for the approval of changes. Thanks to Maxibas, lost baggage at Schiphol has been reduced by 50% in three years.
Simulating Schiphol’s baggage handling systems
Underneath Schiphol airport’s terminals, out of the sight of passengers, 65 km of transport bands, storage, sorting and screening facilities ensure that passenger baggage moves safely from check-in to plane and from plane to reclaim carrousel. Schiphol required a strategic test-tool to simulate and test changes to the existing systems and planned extensions, for example to manage a predicted increase in baggage handling capacity from 40 million to 70 million pieces of baggage.
Scarabee designed and built a complete test and training simulation tool, to help Schiphol achieve and manage continual change and growth. Hardware and software is now be tested before becoming operational, new staff learn how to use the system, and all staff can be trained on system changes and calamity situations. The simulation is also used to devise and test what-if scenarios, for example evaluating the effects of changes to an airline’s new schedule. Above all, the simulation has helped Schiphol achieve a 50% decrease in the number of lost baggage in three years.
