Baggage handling system

A baggage handling system (BHS) is a type of conveyor system installed in airports that transports checked luggage from ticket counters to areas where the bags can be loaded onto airplanes. A BHS also transports checked baggage coming off of airplanes to baggage claims or to an area where the bag can be loaded onto another airplane.

Although a BHS's primary function is the transportation of bags, a typical BHS will serve many other complex functions involved in making sure that a bag gets to the correct location in the airport. The process of identifying a bag, and the information associated with it, to make a decision on where the bag should be directed within the system is known as "sortation".

In addition to sortation, a BHS typically also performs the following functions:
* Detection of Bag Jams
* Volume Regulation (to ensure that input points are controlled to avoid overloading system)
* Load Balancing (to evenly distribute bag volume between conveyor sub-systems)
* Bag Counting
* Bag Tracking
* Redirection of Bags via Pusher or Diverter
* Merging of Conveyor Lines

External link

* [http://science.howstuffworks.com/baggage-handling.htm How Baggage Handling Works (howstuffworks.com)]