b'30 SRQBAGGAGE PHOTO: ARCHER WESTERN CONSTRUCTIONA New Era for Baggage Screeningat Sarasota Bradenton Intl BY KRISTEN RINDFLEISCHWith a 209% total increase inwas capped at about 600 bags per passenger volume since 2018,hour, which was insufficient for the FACTS&FIGURESairport leaders at Sarasotaairports current or future needs. The Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)makeup units were prone to breakdowns, Project: New Baggage Screening & Processing System recognized the need to replace agingand the conveyors were too narrow Location: Sarasota Bradenton Intl Airport, in FL infrastructure and develop new systemsto accommodate common oversized Size: 26,000 sq. ft. addition to handle present and future demands.luggage like golf clubs. Cost: $46.9 million ($48.5 million incl. design fees) The recent installation of a new baggageOver the years, the baggage equipment Funding: $24.5 million TSA grant; $12 million from FL Dept.screening and processing systembecame increasingly obsolete and difficult of Transportation; $12 million from airport streamlined three outdated inline setupsto maintain, and breakdowns were Design: Sept. 2019Apr. 2022 into one operation. The Outbound Baggagefrequent. A lack Handling System/Checked Baggageof readily available Construction: Dec. 2022Feb. 2025 (scheduled) Inspection System Consolidation Project Key Components: 3 CTX 9800 DSi Explosives Detectionreplacement parts was designed and executed to upgradeoften resulted in System machines; Automatic Tag Readers; LiDAR-basedprocesses, enhance efficiency and ensure measurement arrays; 3,200+ ft. of conveyors powered by IE5- delays. If a conveyor rated motors; consolidated Checked Baggage Resolution Area;the system keeps up with SRQs growth.belt or machine 26,000 sq. ft. of additional space Increased passenger traffic duringmalfunctioned, crews Prime Design Consultant: VTC recent years exposed significanthad to move bags General Contractor: Archer Western Construction limitations in the Florida airports previousmanually. We hadKENT BONTRAGERBaggage Handling System Procurement,baggage screening system. The aging20 techs employed just to move bags, Fabrication, Installation & Integration: Automaticequipment, installed back in 2002, hadcomments Kent Bontrager, Sarasota Systems, Inc. three separate inline processesAreas A,Manatee Airport Authority vice president Baggage Handling System Software Controls,B and Ceach with its own Explosivesof Engineering.Programming & Commissioning: Kasa Controls &Detection System machine and conveyorTSA staffing was another complication. Automation infrastructure. OurDuring peak times, the previous system Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbingmachines were threerequired TSA to staff three separate & Fire Protection: GRAEF of the oldest, if notrooms, or pods, to screen checked Electrical Engineering: Hanson Professional Services the oldest, left inbaggage. The new system consolidates all Civil Engineering: Advanced Infrastructure Design (AID) the United States,baggage into a single system, streamlining Construction Estimating: Connico notes Rick Piccolo,the process and reducing the number of president and chiefofficers needed. That Information Technology & Security: TLC executive officer Electrical Service Panel & Life Safetyof the SarasotaRICK PICCOLO has been the biggest, Infrastructure Installation: NCN Electric in my opinion, benefit Manatee Airport Authority, which ownsof the new system, Explosive Detection System Machines: Smithsand operates SRQ. The machines weresays Mark Stuckey, Detection so old, they just didnt make the parts Key Benefits: Faster, more reliable baggage processing;anymore. the Airport Authoritys 325% increase in screening capacity; less delays &executive vice lost luggage; centralized TSA screening area; scalableDespite periodic software updatespresident and chief infrastructure; increased energy efficiency; lower operating costs from TSA, the previous systems capacityof staff.MARK STUCKEYMarch | April 2025AirportImprovement.com'