The city's upgraded airport, including the newly opened Southern Concourse Terminal and the yet to be completed Western Concourse Terminal, features a state-of-the-art baggage handling system that showcases the technology providing high security and reliability.
It also demonstrates the good management principles of future proofing, using innovative virtual technology to model the baggage handling system performance prior to construction to ensure the most efficient solution under varying conditions.
After delays due to the global financial crisis, Canberra is on track to double its check in counters, triple baggage capacity and revise its roadside drop off and pick up.
Additionally, BCS Airport Systems is partnered with aerobridge manufacturer Thyssen-Krupp to supply installation and commissioning services for the new glass aerobridges that optimise terminal access.
The $350m Canberra upgrade project, code named 'AirVolution,' is in two stages with the new southern concourse opened last November and construction of the new western concourse commencing in January.
Marc Michel, BCS general manager services and solutions, said BCS was awarded the contract for the new baggage handling and security screening system for both terminals not only on the basis of being the most experienced BHS company in Australia but also because of its development and application of its innovative SYM3 software solution.
"Sym3 was used to design and commission the system virtually, prior to installation. This reduced on site commissioning time by 70% and provided a high degree of risk management," he said.
Once the new southern concourse system went live in November the system operators then used SYM3 3D software as the control solution for the baggage system. According to Marc Michel, this gave unprecedented levels of visibility and control over the system.
"It means less mishandled and misconnected bags for passengers using Canberra airport and much higher productivity for the operations team in delivering effective operations and services for airport users."
Despite currently only handling domestic flights Canberra Airport ranks around eighth in Australia in passenger throughput. Despite its size, the new facilities and baggage handling system incorporate the same high level baggage security measures increasingly rolled out in larger Australian airports, in line with its intended move to international capability.
More than five million pieces of baggage each year will be screened on a number of criteria including detection of explosives.
BCS general manager airport systems, David Jerram, said the BCS-developed Sym3 played a critical role in BCS winning the contract. The internationally acclaimed 3D visualisation and control software package is designed to fast track the design, commissioning and simulation of complex baggage handling systems in international airports. Mr Jerram said it signaled a significant advance in getting stakeholder acceptance and managing risk, in what are quite complicated infrastructure projects.
"We've been consistently winning Australian and International contracts over the past 16 years, and we believe the very attractive addition of Sym3 played a significant role in winning the Canberra contract."
Mr Jerram said BCS has designed, manufactured and installed, and now operates and maintains, all or part of the baggage handling systems at every major Australian airport, with both Melbourne and Gold Coast Airports using Sym3 software in their upgrades.
Twitter