Singapore’s Changi Airport has introduced a smart baggage trolley management system.
The aim of the new tracking system to ensure that there are always enough baggage trolleys for every passenger.
Until now, trolley retrievers patrolled the terminals round the clock to make sure each trolley bay was fully stocked. They would make sure there was a fixed number of trolleys at each bay throughout the day, regardless of actual demand.
This meant that trolleys were unused at some areas and there was a shortage at others.
It was also an inefficient use of manpower.
The new Automated Trolley Management System (ATMS) was put in place earlier this year, and gives trolley retrievers real-time information on where trolleys are needed most.
Each ground supervisor is given an iPad that is connected to the airport’s flight information system. This allows them to anticipate how many trolleys are needed based on incoming flights, and deploy staff accordingly.
The ATMS also tracks the trolley supply through a camera at each bay, and sends this information to the ground supervisor’s iPad in real time.
Since the implementation of the automated system, Changi has achieved a 25 per cent man-hour saving.
It has also been able to increase the number of trolley parking bays from 50 to 70, making it easier for passengers to get them.
N.B. Image credit: wikipedia
