A generic control architecture for material handling systems applied to a baggage handling system

This paper is part of research on generic planning and control of automated Material Handling Systems (MHSs) in different industrial sectors. We build upon previous work to provide a proof of concept for the applicability of a generic control architecture on a specific MHS. To this end, the baggage handling system (BHS) of a major European hub represents our business case. We present the control architecture and apply it to the BHS under study in a simulation environment. This application shows how the generic control architecture adapts to the specificities of this BHS and how it handles unconventional workstation types, i.e., robots. Finally, we highlight the lessons learned and make recommendations for future applications

Status - based routing in baggage handling systems : searching verses learning

This study contributes to work in baggage handling system (BHS) control, specifically dynamic bag routing. Although studies in BHS agent-based control have examined the need for intelligent control, but there has not been an effort to explore the dynamic routing problem. As such, this study provides additional insight into how agents can learn to route in a BHS. This study describes a BHS status-based routing algorithm that applies learning methods to select criteria based on routing decisions. Although numerous studies have identified the need for dynamic routing, little analytic attention has been paid to intelligent agents for learning routing tables rather than manual creation of routing rules. We address this issue by demonstrating the ability of agents to learn how to route based on bag status, a robust method that is able to function in a variety of different BHS designs.<br /

A State of the Art on Railway Simulation Modelling Software Packages and Their Application to Designing Baggage Transfer Services

There is a new baggage transfer service suggested in Newcastle Central Station. In order to prove that this service is feasible, a simulation model can be developed to test the concept and operating pattern behind. For the purposes of this paper, we intend to organize a literature review on simulation modelling software packages employed to study service design. Specifically, this paper has compared five different simulation software packages used by the railway industry to study service-related challenges. As a result, it is suggested that SIMUL8, a macroscopic discrete event-based software package, should be used among the five compared ones because of its simplicity and the ability to give practical results for the design and performance of such a baggage transfer system

Concept of Advanced Personal Rapid Transit at Airports

The increase in air transportation demand implies challenges on airport ground access. Using private transportation mode to reach the airport is a typical practice which results in the vast demand for parking facilities. These facilities are located farther from the terminal, increasing the access time. This research aimed to develop the concept of an advance airport Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) that connects parking facilities to the terminal as a shuttle service, and provides on-board integrated flight-related services, such as check-in and baggage handling. The system architecture and operational models were developed, thus all relevant components and functions were identified, especially focusing on information management tasks. A questionnaire survey was performed and conducted at Budapest Airport to reveal the user expectations towards an advanced PRT service at the airport. Moreover, a layout selection method was developed which was applied to Budapest Airport as a case study. The proposed PRT service provides a seamless transit by access to airport terminals from remote parking facilities conveniently and the time consumption of flight-related activities is significantly reduced too

Route choice control of automated baggage handling systems.

Abstract State-of-the-art baggage handling systems transport luggage in an automated way using destination coded vehicles (DCVs). These vehicles transport the bags at high speeds on a &quot;mini&quot; railway network. Currently, the networks are simple, with only a few junctions, since otherwise bottlenecks would be created at the junctions. This makes the system inefficient. In the research we conduct, more complex networks are considered. In order to optimize the performance of the system we develop and compare centralized and decentralized control methods that can be used to route the DCVs through the track network. The proposed centralized control method is model predictive control (MPC). Due to the large computation effort centralized MPC requires, decentralized MPC and a fast decentralized heuristic approach are also proposed. When implementing the decentralized approaches, each junction has its own local controller for positioning the switch going into the junction and the switch going out of the junction. In order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of centralized MPC, decentralized MPC, and the decentralized heuristic approach, we also discuss a simple benchmark case study. The considered control methods are compared for several scenarios. Results indicate that centralized MPC becomes intractable when a large stream of bags has to be handled, while decentralized MPC can still be used to suboptimally solve the problem. Moreover, the decentralized heuristic approach usually gives worse results than those obtained when using decentralized MPC, but with very low computation time. Tarȃu, De Schutter, Hellendoorn

Long Term Implementation of a 100 Percent Checked Baggage Screening System: A Value Focused Thinking Approach

The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, carried out via aircraft hijackings, clearly demonstrated the massive destruction potential when vulnerabilities in the aviation system are exploited. Airport security measures have since been strengthened and new measures have been set in place. With the passage of the Aviation Transportation and Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 the checked baggage systems at U.S. Airports are now required to screen all checked bags with explosive detection devices. This is a significant increase from the small percentage of bags that were previously screened. The original 2009 deadline was changed to 31 December 2002 and this change forced airports to implement interim screening systems. These systems can impact the efficient processing of passengers and baggage. A long term solution is needed for a 100 percent checked baggage system that provides the required security while minimizing negative impacts to aviation stakeholders including the airport operators, airlines, passengers, and the Transportation Security Administration. This thesis, focusing on the Dayton International Airport, uses a Value Focused Thinking methodology to build a value model for evaluating potential long term solutions for 100 percent checked baggage system alternatives

Software framework for the development of context-aware reconfigurable systems

In this project we propose a new software framework for the development of context-aware and secure controlling software of distributed reconfigurable systems. Context-awareness is a key feature allowing the adaptation of systems behaviour according to the changing environment. We introduce a new definition of the term “context” for reconfigurable systems then we define a new context modelling and reasoning approach. Afterwards, we define a meta-model of context-aware reconfigurable applications that paves the way to the proposed framework. The proposed framework has a three-layer architecture: reconfiguration, context control, and services layer, where each layer has its well-defined role. We define also a new secure conversation protocol between distributed trustless parts based on the blockchain technology as well as the elliptic curve cryptography. To get better correctness and deployment guarantees of applications models in early development stages, we propose a new UML profile called GR-UML to add new semantics allowing the modelling of probabilistic scenarios running under memory and energy constraints, then we propose a methodology using transformations between the GR-UML, the GR-TNCES Petri nets formalism, and the IEC 61499 function blocks. A software tool implementing the methodology concepts is developed. To show the suitability of the mentioned contributions two case studies (baggage handling system and microgrids) are considered.In diesem Projekt schlagen wir ein Framework für die Entwicklung von kontextbewussten, sicheren Anwendungen von verteilten rekonfigurierbaren Systemen vor. Kontextbewusstheit ist eine Schlüsseleigenschaft, die die Anpassung des Systemverhaltens an die sich ändernde Umgebung ermöglicht. Wir führen eine Definition des Begriffs ``Kontext" für rekonfigurierbare Systeme ein und definieren dann einen Kontextmodellierungs- und Reasoning-Ansatz. Danach definieren wir ein Metamodell für kontextbewusste rekonfigurierbare Anwendungen, das den Weg zum vorgeschlagenen Framework ebnet. Das Framework hat eine dreischichtige Architektur: Rekonfigurations-, Kontextkontroll- und Dienste-Schicht, wobei jede Schicht ihre wohldefinierte Rolle hat. Wir definieren auch ein sicheres Konversationsprotokoll zwischen verteilten Teilen, das auf der Blockchain-Technologie sowie der elliptischen Kurven-Kryptographie basiert. Um bessere Korrektheits- und Einsatzgarantien für Anwendungsmodelle zu erhalten, schlagen wir ein UML-Profil namens GR-UML vor, um Semantik umzufassen, die die Modellierung probabilistischer Szenarien unter Speicher- und Energiebeschränkungen ermöglicht. Dann schlagen wir eine Methodik vor, die Transformationen zwischen GR-UML, dem GR-TNCES-Petrinetz-Formalismus und den IEC 61499-Funktionsblöcken verwendet. Es wird ein Software entwickelt, das die Konzepte der Methodik implementiert. Um die Eignung der genannten Beiträge zu zeigen, werden zwei Fallstudien betrachtet