Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Transport Technology



M.B. de Kleine Automatisch labelen bagage
Masters thesis, Report 2007.TEL.7136, Transport Engineering and Logistics.


Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AAS) expects to see an increase in the number of passenger movements during the upcoming years. To ensure the ability to handle this increased number of passenger movements, AAS has launched a programme called the Redesign Passengers Process (RPP) Programme. One of the targets within this RPP Programme is to have passengers check in their own baggage without the assistance of an airline em-ployee, using a Self Service Drop-Off Point.

In order to have passengers check in their baggage in the easiest, most comfortable and most reliable way without the assistance of an airline employee, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol wants to investigate to possibility of having the baggage labelled by a fully automatic labelling system. The investigation has lead to this report.

In order to find all possible solutions, the main function of the fully automatic labelling system has been divided into several sub functions. During this research, solutions have been generated for the five most important sub functions.

One of the sub functions comprises the method of connecting the label to the piece of baggage. In order to generate solutions for this sub function, a classification for possible methods has been made. This classification increased the number of solutions that could be generated. Solutions for the other four sub functions were based on systems found at AAS.

After identifying all possible solutions, concepts were generated by combining solutions for each sub function. In order to find the best concept, a multicriteria analysis has been performed. The scores that were given during this multicriteria analysis, together with the criteria and the corresponding weights that were used, were generated during an expert meeting at AAS.

During this research, no currently existing systems were found that could provide in AAS's demand for a fully automatic labelling system for baggage. Solutions for one of the sub functions were found after doing research on the packaging and labelling industry.

According to the multicriteria analysis, the best concept is based on two tightly applied straps, placed parallel around the piece of baggage. When applying the straps, each strap is fed through a hole in the label (each strap through a separate hole), after which both straps are connected to each other via the label. This concept has been drawn up in the report.

After thoroughly examining the results of the multicriteria analysis and the multicriteria analysis itself, it appeared that the results of the analysis should not to be taken for granted. If the scores on a possible criterion could not be properly explained during the expert session, this criterion would not be used. Therefore, many interesting criteria could not be used. An example of such a criterion is the number of correctly executed label processes that a concept can perform. Whether the best concept will provide in AAS's demands is still uncertain.

The demand for a fully automatic labelling system resulted from a more extensive question. This question is: what is the best way to label the baggage pieces of a passenger when he or she uses the Self Service Drop-Off Point? During this research fully automatic solutions have been searched for. Besides fully automatic solutions, fully manual or semi-automatic solutions could also provide in AAS's demand.

At this current moment AAS is looking for both fully automatic and fully manual solu-tions. No research is being done on semi-automatic solutions. The advice is being given to examine possible semi-automatic solutions, before continuing research on fully automatic solutions.


Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
Modified: 2007.06.04; logistics@3mE.tudelft.nl , TU Delft / 3mE / TT / LT.