RFID at McCarran International Airport

The United States McCarran International Airport, facing rapid growth in passenger traffic and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate to enhance security, turned to RFID baggage technology for a solution. With the help of U.S.-based Symbol Technologies , the airport implemented an RFID baggage handling and tracking system, achieving significant improvements in efficiency and security.

McCarran International Airport conveys nearly 70,000 passengers and more than 460 flights a day, making it one of the seven busiest airports in the U.S., according to Airports Council International. Utilizing two terminals, 93 gates and a never-ending flow of passengers drawn by the magic of Las Vegas, the airport has experienced double-digit annual growth in recent years. This rapid growth, along with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) post-9/11 mandate to improve airport security, has required the airport to improve the efficiency of the passenger check-in and check-out process and to better protect passengers and employees.

The Challenge: The Need to Improve Passenger Security as Quickly as Possible

As McCarran International Airport decided to improve customer safety, security and satisfaction, they also realized that selecting and implementing the best solution in just a few months was an extremely difficult task. The baggage handling process quickly became a major issue of primary concern, with immediate action required to conduct a thorough and in-depth inspection.

The airport undertook extensive research to find a solution that could replace the traditional baggage handling and tracking process. They quickly discovered the many advantages of RFID. So they chose CyberPower Technologies to design and implement a solution for their passenger safety and satisfaction issues.

Key Benefits of RFID in Transportation

The key benefits of RFID in the transportation industry are: enhanced passenger safety; increased baggage/cargo visibility; reduced operating costs; and improved customer service and satisfaction.

RFID Luggage Tagging System

SEIKO and McCarran International Airport set out to establish an efficient, cost-effective and accurate baggage tracking system to meet the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) requirement to screen all passenger baggage. Using embedded explosives detection and screening equipment, the team established a new process for automatically tracking all passenger baggage, thus ensuring the safe movement of millions of passengers at the airport.

The new system allows McCarran to track baggage with nearly 100 percent accuracy and to keep track of baggage from start to finish.RFID tags are printed and attached to baggage at the ticketing center. Each tag carries a unique identifier that is read as the bag is placed on the conveyor belt, transferred to the screening machine and finally transported to the appropriate aircraft.

Cargo shipping and receiving

The implementation of this system has made it easier to ship and receive passenger goods at the airport: it automates the loading and unloading process; reduces the need for manpower; speeds up the processing of goods; automates the direct loading and unloading process; and generates 100% accurate electronic manifests.

Storage and fulfillment

The implementation of the tagging system in the baggage storage process allows for the correct storage location of baggage; faster baggage retrieval; fewer order errors; reduced baggage turnover; and improved baggage order fulfillment rates and times.

Task and Resource Management

This system needs to accomplish the following tasks in terms of task and resource management:

1. Automatically update tasks for each resource;

2. improve the automation and accuracy of baggage control;

3. improved real-time monitoring of operations;

4. automated handling and sorting;

5. sorting and packing automation and accuracy.

Evaluating Implementing Available RFID Technology Solutions

The technology planning application addresses data collection/analysis and establishes a source of basic data for airport operations. When evaluating RFID technology at airports, it is necessary to understand a few key issues in order to avoid technology missteps and dead ends.

1. EPC-compliant RFID technology;

2. software-scalable reader platforms;

3. systems that can manage large amounts of data;

4. applications that can be scaled as the system deployment continues to expand;

5. may ultimately want to work with a partner that can provide more in-depth RFID support and has global operations.
Today, McCarran International Airport has more passengers than ever before, but service is faster and more efficient than ever. Despite the airport's never-ending growth in passenger traffic, feedback from the airport shows that passenger satisfaction continues to skyrocket.