Overview
BNP was brought on board to design the new inbound and outbound Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) for the Terminal Improvements Program at Hilton Head Island Airport. The project aimed to fix issues with the current facilities and keep up with the airport’s growing number of passengers. Working with The Wilson Group, which led the design team, BNP developed a new layout for the inbound system and created several designs for outbound baggage screening—utilizing Type II mini in-line and stand-alone setups—to enhance the efficiency of bag movement and simplify the layout for staff.
System Upgrades
The replacement and expansion of the existing outbound and inbound BHS is considered one of the airport’s major upgrades. The outbound BHS consists of a new ticket counter conveyor line that feeds a completely reconfigured checked baggage inspection system (CBIS) and a new common-use flat plate device for airline baggage make-up.
Installation and Special Features
The new ticket counter conveyor line, CBIS, and inbound baggage claim area were installed within the existing footprint of the facility, while the inbound and outbound airside operations were installed in the expanded portion of the terminal. Since Hilton Head Island is a popular golfing destination, a Leidos Reveal CT-80DRXL was installed to facilitate automatic screening of golf bags.
Future Expansion Capabilities
The new CBIS layout also provided space for a second Explosive Detection System (EDS) machine when passenger demand requires it. The right-of-way for the second EDS machine currently serves as a contingency lane, allowing for the installation of non-powered roller-bed conveyors with multiple manual screening stations in case the EDS machine is unavailable for any reason.
PROJECT DETAILS
Inbound System
The new inbound system consists of one “L” shaped and one “T” shaped flat plate claim device, each with 100 linear feet of passenger presentation, and an odd-size chute for oversized baggage.
Outbound System
The outbound flat plate baggage make-up device, which is fed from the new CBIS, is 200 linear feet long and accommodates 12 cart positions. The outbound operation also includes an odd-size chute for oversized baggage.