Purpose of Establishment
The purpose of ASTREC is to promote the use of RFID technology in an airport environment and establish a technology base for the advanced airport system such as baggage handling, in a further diverse and advanced information-based society. Consequently, our activities will improve the convenience and safety at an airport and seek for improved ontime performance through the realization of e-Airport, a Japanese version of SPT (Simplifying Passenger Travel).
ASTREC is a non-investment/non-profit organization, founded based on "Research Association for Mining and Manufacturing Technology Law," and a public-service corporation approved by the MLIT.
Research Activities
At the 2004 IATA Annual General Assembly held in Singapore, it was decided to introduce RFID in baggage handling by fiscal year 2007. This resolution, not only agreed upon the change over of current bar code paper tags to RFID tags but also incorporated 100% e-ticketing, bar-coded boarding passes and the promotion of common use self service kiosks where any airline's passenger can be self checked-in.
IATA Press Release.
http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/2004-06-07-02.htm
These initiatives are part of the "Simplifying the Business" (simplification of business) project with IATA, where passenger and baggage processes are being discussed of which the above-mentioned resolution was adopted as a result of this process.
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/simplibiz/
As a result of these international trends, ASTREC's research is conducted with RFID technology as a core, coupled with linking airport and airline systems, international standardization, operational and system processes.
1) Implement "Hands-free Travel"
to relieve passengers from the cumbersome hassle of having to carry around baggage and therefore be able to improve passenger convenience.
2) Achieve maximum security
by identifying the owner of the baggage, in a swift and accurate manner and under a systematic approach.
3) Reduce mishandled baggage
through the use of identification technology.
4) Materialize an efficient air and surface transportation system
through an intermodal information
system to increase the comfort and ease of travel to the passenger and at the same time improve the convenience and efficiency of business.
5) Improve efficiency at the airport
through process time reductions in baggage handling, custom inspection and etc.
6) Steer Narita Airport to become the global standard
for the advanced airport systems.
