Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA) embarked on design of its new South Terminal Complex Orlando International Airport (MCO) in 2015, with BHS design-build (DB) Contractor selection in 2017. Work immediately commenced on detailed design of a state-of-the art tote-based Individual Carrier System (ICS) BHS for the new South Terminal that adds 16 gates, accommodating up to 20 aircraft and 10-12 million annual passengers. The BHS will include approximately eight miles of conveyance throughout the new terminal, with 5,000 carriers each transporting an individual bag from inbound to arrivals, and from departure to outbound.  The system also includes an early bag storage (EBS) system with a capacity for 2,000 bags.

The new BHS will help the airport become more efficient by increasing baggage capacity, reducing passenger wait times for bags, and enabling real-time system configuration to support operations.  The ICS with integrated RFID will also enable MCO and tenant airlines to keep passengers informed about their bags’ whereabouts at any time.

As part of the BHS DB team, Studdiford Technical Solutions, LLC (STS) is providing BHS subject matter expertise, design oversight, integration support and commissioning services for the new South Terminal. The system will be only the second ICS in the United States, bringing state-of-the-art technology to the forefront of new terminal development.  The scope of services includes oversight of all BHS CBIS design for TSA compliance, TSA submittals preparation, and commissioning-related activities including pre-Integrated Site Acceptance Testing (ISAT) and Test Readiness Review (TRR) support.

Before going live in 2022, the BHS team is undertaking an 18-month testing and commissioning phase to ensure that every single component functions as required.