**4. AIDC and mobile technologies in postal sector**

This part primarily deals with identification of postal items and transport units in logistic chain of postal operators. Nowadays, the identification is carried through barcodes and opti‐

cal character recognition. In this article we would like to specify, how can be transport units identified in the transmission process by RFID technology. In the carriage of postal items is necessary to decide what type of transport is used for that purpose, what the flows of items are and what their intensity is.

The part described scheme of the transport process, including planned technology and there is also simulated a real postal process in conditions close to operational.

An unavoidable part of today is a dynamic development in the field of mobile technologies, their everyday use and application of the processes, which largely supports the level of quality of postal services and thereby strengthening the market positions of individual post‐ al operators. This area is even more pertinent that in all countries of the European Union since 1 January 2013 approved the postal market and postal services. In this respect, it is nec‐ essary to include postal processes embarked on new technologies to ensure the competitive‐ ness of the national postal operator and alternative providers.

RFID technology has been selected by an international post corporation (IPC) to test deliver‐ ability (transit time) of items in 55 countries of the world (Slovak republic including). The requirement of transit time is defined by Universal Postal Services and applicable also for Slovak Post. Despite the RFID technology is being known and being improved for a long time, it is essential to define the standards and security requirements.

Besides efficiency, consolidation and globalization within the European Union, interopera‐ bility is one of key elements. It is the ability of information and communication systems (in‐ cluding the supported processes) to exchange data, share information and knowledge, which leads to standardization.

#### **4.1. Methods and aims**

collection could be achieved during transportation. This would also reduce equipment costs because fewer readers would be required. The nesting would follow the form in Figure 8. If these technologies can be nested, it will allow the information in a bar code or a passive RFID tag to be collected by an active tag. This information could then be combined with the information contained within the active tag and transferred to a GPS receiver. The GPS re‐ ceiver could then send not only its location but all of the information about the cargo being shipped (Reade and Lindsay 2003). A possible application of this nested technology ap‐ proach would be in the railroad industry. Currently, there are two passive RFID tags attach‐ ed to the sides of all railcars in the United States. In addition, most railroads use GPS receivers to track locomotives. If nesting became possible, implementation would be easy. Active tags could be used to capture the information correlated to the cargo in all of the rail‐

> **Active RFID**

In addition to nesting technologies, more advanced tags can be developed to allow more de‐ tailed data collection. Tags that utilize sensors to capture and write data to the tag are being developed. Some tags have been developed but are still very unreliable. These sensor tags could be used to monitor physical parameters, like temperature and humidity, as well as se‐ curity parameters. The main problem faced by these passive sensor tags is the limited power supply. The sensor cannot use any energy while outside the range of the reader. Also, the amount of energy available while in read range is very small. This limits possible measure‐ ment techniques (Want 2004). With these sensor tags, perishable goods could be monitored to guard against possible safety issues. This could include salmonella outbreaks caused by frozen chicken reaching too-high temperatures for too long and medications being held at

This part primarily deals with identification of postal items and transport units in logistic chain of postal operators. Nowadays, the identification is carried through barcodes and opti‐

G**PS** 

cars and transmit it to the GPS receiver and thus to the inventory databases.

 **Passive RFID** 

**Barcode** 

420 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

**Increasing Net Investment** 

**Figure 8.** Nesting diagram

temperatures that reduce potency.

**4. AIDC and mobile technologies in postal sector**

For understanding of issue is should be analyze terms used. The availability of RFID compo‐ nents, GPS devices and possibility of using satellite navigation there is possible to create a relative effective infrastructure for improving management of transport process by post.

There is true, that personal correspondence is on the wane, the main reason is development of information technology especially Internet, but large part of using a postal services have a companies and therefore the services will remain an indispensable part of society.

#### **4.2. Structure**

When we focus on these connections, external influences on postal sector and potential cur‐ rent technologies there is important to analyze possibilities of automation individual proc‐ esses, improve a transportation operating activities and ensure continuity in fulfilling the goals. These aims lead to satisfying of customers in area of provide post services at phase in the delivery of mail.

The aim of this part is refer on possible improve in this area. The most important term of category, which will use in individual chapters are: mobile technology, definition of means transport.

#### *4.2.1. Mobile technology*

The classification of wireless technologies based on the distance or reach of the broadcast signal provides insight on their potential use. A condition of transport a date in broadcast systems and networks is communication without physical contact.One of the possible divi‐ sion of this system is on range of coverage:

**•** safety and effectiveness of postal traffic.

quest items express postal services,

in a specified range (usually as OSS),

processing and quest items express postal service.

**4.4. Characteristics of transport units and processes**

sions are transport in wagon, which owned SP, a.s.

vidual airlines. It only use for international postal mail transport.

are transport by vehicle, which own of SP, a. s.

foreign postal administrations,

postal bags.

work (OPS).

nology in relevant stages.

the following criteria:

Processing of items is implemented in the workplace of the Slovak Post:

with OSS circuit, in contact with other HSS and OU,

**• HSS - main processing center** - the facility providing treatment and quest items posting its area of perimeter, mail items addressed to your district and in transit in its dealings

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**• OSS - regional processing center** - post office responsible for preparing and quest items posted at post offices in his own constituency and in transit in contact with your postal district and interacted with the HSS, the facility responsible for receiving, processing and

**• selected post** - post office responsible for preparing and quest items selected species with‐

**• Exchange post** - processing the shipment and ensure shipments to post offices exchange

Regional hub as department of express service - establishment is responsible for receiving,

Characteristics of transport units - Slovak Post, a. s. used in the transport process shipments following shipping units: containers, leaf containers and postal bags. Containers are used in the transport process at HSS and OSS, on the local network using only postal letter case and

Basic flow of transport processes are show on next figure including use a basic mobil tech‐

The postal courses represent connection, which is set by transportation route with time data movement of vehicles used for carrying of postal mails. The postal courses are divided by

**• The rail transport** – used on carrying of postal mails through rail network. The conclu‐

**• The road transport** – used road infrastructure for carrying conclusions. The conclusions

**• The fly transport** – this type of transport is most advantageous for fast speed and over‐ coming large distance. The SP, a.s. used this type of transport on agreements with indi‐

The greatest part of transport postal mail is ensured by the road transport between main transport network (HPS), regional transport network (RPS) and district transport net‐


#### **4.3. Postal transport network**

The postal transport is most important part of process from submission of mail after its de‐ livery to addresses with consistent set of quality standards for different types of mail. These standards are also based on the postal license and the requirement for quality by the univer‐ sal postal services.

The postal transport network includes postal courses and infrastructure. While construc‐ tions of postal transport network are use a different systems and tools. The postal transport network is divided into three basic levels:


In the carriage of postal items is necessary to decide what type of transport used for that purpose, what are the flows of items and what is their intensity. Way to connect and type of vehicle depends on the following factors:


**•** safety and effectiveness of postal traffic.

*4.2.1. Mobile technology*

systems, GPS)

sal postal services.

**4.3. Postal transport network**

network is divided into three basic levels:

vehicle depends on the following factors:

**•** the carrying capacity of vehicles used,

**•** density and organization of the postal network,

**•** transport time of each species of postal items,

**•** flows of different types of postal items and their size,

ters with district processing centers of own district.

cility of processing center area.

sion of this system is on range of coverage:

422 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

several hundred meters (For example: Bluetooth, RFID)

The classification of wireless technologies based on the distance or reach of the broadcast signal provides insight on their potential use. A condition of transport a date in broadcast systems and networks is communication without physical contact.One of the possible divi‐

**• Global system** – These systems coverage of territorial area. There we can speak on world‐ wide operating systems, which aren´t dependent on a concrete application and their com‐ munication is carried through different protocol. (for example: Satellite communication

**• Metropolitan systems** – These systems operate on lower geographic area. They usually operate at state level. (For example: The system based on wireless technology, Wi-Fi)

**• Local systems** - These systems operate at a distance, which include a several cm up to

The postal transport is most important part of process from submission of mail after its de‐ livery to addresses with consistent set of quality standards for different types of mail. These standards are also based on the postal license and the requirement for quality by the univer‐

The postal transport network includes postal courses and infrastructure. While construc‐ tions of postal transport network are use a different systems and tools. The postal transport

**• district transport network (OPS**) - this network connecting establishment with other fa‐

**• regional transport network this(RPS**) – this network connecting the main processing cen‐

**• main transport network (HPS)** – this network connecting the main processing centers, the main processing center with the district processing centers from different district of

In the carriage of postal items is necessary to decide what type of transport used for that purpose, what are the flows of items and what is their intensity. Way to connect and type of

HSS. This network includes transport conclusion in international relations.

Processing of items is implemented in the workplace of the Slovak Post:


Regional hub as department of express service - establishment is responsible for receiving, processing and quest items express postal service.

#### **4.4. Characteristics of transport units and processes**

Characteristics of transport units - Slovak Post, a. s. used in the transport process shipments following shipping units: containers, leaf containers and postal bags. Containers are used in the transport process at HSS and OSS, on the local network using only postal letter case and postal bags.

Basic flow of transport processes are show on next figure including use a basic mobil tech‐ nology in relevant stages.

The postal courses represent connection, which is set by transportation route with time data movement of vehicles used for carrying of postal mails. The postal courses are divided by the following criteria:


The greatest part of transport postal mail is ensured by the road transport between main transport network (HPS), regional transport network (RPS) and district transport net‐ work (OPS).

*4.4.1. Transport units*

equipped by securing straps,

ized steel thickness 1mm,

**4.5. Design applications**

services,

work used only containers and bags.

nologies selected and purpose of their use:

**•** container

**•** bags

**•** letter boxes

The Slovak Post used the following transporting units in the transport process:

The postal operator has four types of containers for transport of letters and bags:

**•** folding platform truck made of steel profiles welded together by fasteners.

itoring in transport processes on passive RFID technology.

addresses of postal mails. There is a lot of option of using,

**• BC** – bar code – barcode using by SP, a, s. at present,

**•** platform truck – made by aluminum profiles connecting by PVC parts. This container is

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**•** truck shipments on a very stable structure, floor frame and rugged steel profile galvan‐

The containers are used in the transport processing at HSS and OSS. In the local postal net‐

It is obvious that these systems are in a lot of cases combined and interrelated. In this design is emphasis on technology, which their using isn´t common. There is mean GPS, Wi-Fi, GSM and more. On the figure, there are plans with this technology. Some of these technologies the postal operators used now and this is reason, why was this design focused on mail mon‐

For possible future use of the possibilities currently offered by some mobile technologies, we have tried outline Figure 11 scheme of the transport process, including the applicable tech‐

aRFID such as active RFID technology – application within HSS and OSS use on monitoring containers a transporting units, optimization process and better evaluation quality of postal

**• pRFID** such as passive RFID technology – application between post office and sender/

**• RTLS** – monitoring mails, which are important or contain perishable content,

place for delivery mails, possible pay for service through mobile phone

**• GPS** – route monitoring, possible specifying of delivery place for some type of mails,

**• GSM** – communication through mobile phone, information about mails, possible locate a

**•** stable structure track with rear wall and two side panels with wire grid 100x100mm,

**Figure 9.** Simplified diagram of movement of the consignment of transmission network in Slovak

**Figure 10.** Scheme of the transport process, including planned technology


#### *4.4.1. Transport units*

The Slovak Post used the following transporting units in the transport process:


**Figure 9.** Simplified diagram of movement of the consignment of transmission network in Slovak

**Figure 10.** Scheme of the transport process, including planned technology

**2.** collecting expedition posting or accumulating courses,

**4.** mobile technology - monitoring the transport process,

**5.** possibilities for optimizing routes for mail delivery

**1.** sender pass the post office at the counter

424 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

**6.** communication with the addressee.

**3.** pass through postal box,.

The postal operator has four types of containers for transport of letters and bags:


The containers are used in the transport processing at HSS and OSS. In the local postal net‐ work used only containers and bags.

#### **4.5. Design applications**

It is obvious that these systems are in a lot of cases combined and interrelated. In this design is emphasis on technology, which their using isn´t common. There is mean GPS, Wi-Fi, GSM and more. On the figure, there are plans with this technology. Some of these technologies the postal operators used now and this is reason, why was this design focused on mail mon‐ itoring in transport processes on passive RFID technology.

For possible future use of the possibilities currently offered by some mobile technologies, we have tried outline Figure 11 scheme of the transport process, including the applicable tech‐ nologies selected and purpose of their use:

aRFID such as active RFID technology – application within HSS and OSS use on monitoring containers a transporting units, optimization process and better evaluation quality of postal services,


*4.6.1. RFID-based vehicle management*

**•** Improved yard and vehicle management.

**•** Improved vehicle maintenance routines.

*4.6.2. Roll cage tracking and managing*

ly at peak times.

**•** Early warning on delays in transport to all parties.

**•** Precise feedback to transport planning systems.

Tracking vehicles and trailers throughout the entire transport logistics chain provides con‐ siderable benefits to all parties involved, e.g. management, users and customers. The Vehi‐ cle and Trailer Tracking System is an advanced and effective IT system for monitoring and managing precise arrivals and departures of vehicles at specific points in the logistics chain.

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The system is built on the experience and know-how acquired from supplying the world's

One of the main issues being addressed by the roll container tracking and managing project is need to take control of and better manage transportation assets. Another primary project requirement is to ensure that the required containers will be always available at the custom‐ ers' premises and within postal operator facilities. This should overcome the tendency for planned or unplanned hoarding of roll containers that causes shortages elsewhere, especial‐

Additionally, the lack of visibility of roll container whereabouts led to unnecessary loss since it was not possible to identify where the roll containers disappeared and hence forced expensive purchase of new roll containers to meet the customer service level agreements. System of the monitoring and managing roll cages includes tag (active or passive, it de‐ pends of application), that is placed on a side or on the bottom of the container (Figure 12), it also includes a handheld terminal solution for consignment of roll container, product and

The result is avoiding miss-sending and has real-time *t* volume forecasting into all facilities in the network providing efficient and on time production and distribution. Also a handheld terminal solution designed for track and trace of all individual parcels is a part of the solu‐ tion providing key customers with shipment visibility throughout the whole logistic net‐

largest and most widespread RFID network stretching across about 60 countries.

Implementing this system offers unique values. Examples of benefits:

**•** Precise and objective record of exchange of goods between parties.

**•** Cost savings in centers with real-time information available.

destination enabling load control on all roll containers (Figure 13).

work. Miss-shipments are prevented by load-control.

**•** Fully automatic registration of vehicles - i.e. no manual work involved.

**Figure 11.** Scheme of the transport process, including the anticipated technologies

#### **4.6. Types of RFID application in conditions of postal processes**

The AMQM1 ™ Platform provides postal operators with a complete overview and effective traceability of mail volumes, parcels, mail bags, mail items, trucks, roll-containers and letter trays across the entire logistics chain. One key feature is automatic consignment system that associates the mail items to the containers carrying these items and to the trucks transport‐ ing these.

This solution can be based on various technologies such as: RFID, disposable RFID labels and bar codes, as well as combinations thereof. It also enable objective documentation of times of arrival and departure of vehicles, which postal containers are loaded/unloaded, ve‐ hicle load space management, real-time information on types of mail, quantities, times of ar‐ rival, delays or changes in transport times etc. With regard to postal operational systems, the following conditions must be taken into account:


<sup>1</sup> AMQM – Automatic Mail Quality Measurement

#### *4.6.1. RFID-based vehicle management*

Tracking vehicles and trailers throughout the entire transport logistics chain provides con‐ siderable benefits to all parties involved, e.g. management, users and customers. The Vehi‐ cle and Trailer Tracking System is an advanced and effective IT system for monitoring and managing precise arrivals and departures of vehicles at specific points in the logistics chain.

The system is built on the experience and know-how acquired from supplying the world's largest and most widespread RFID network stretching across about 60 countries.

Implementing this system offers unique values. Examples of benefits:


#### *4.6.2. Roll cage tracking and managing*

**Figure 11.** Scheme of the transport process, including the anticipated technologies

426 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

**4.6. Types of RFID application in conditions of postal processes**

following conditions must be taken into account:

**•** High labor costs in connection with the daily operations.

**•** Large potentials in automation and streamlining of manual processes.

**•** Rough industrial environments.

**•** Large volumes of goods and mail.

**•** Short time available for processing.

1 AMQM – Automatic Mail Quality Measurement

™ Platform provides postal operators with a complete overview and effective

traceability of mail volumes, parcels, mail bags, mail items, trucks, roll-containers and letter trays across the entire logistics chain. One key feature is automatic consignment system that associates the mail items to the containers carrying these items and to the trucks transport‐

This solution can be based on various technologies such as: RFID, disposable RFID labels and bar codes, as well as combinations thereof. It also enable objective documentation of times of arrival and departure of vehicles, which postal containers are loaded/unloaded, ve‐ hicle load space management, real-time information on types of mail, quantities, times of ar‐ rival, delays or changes in transport times etc. With regard to postal operational systems, the

The AMQM1

ing these.

One of the main issues being addressed by the roll container tracking and managing project is need to take control of and better manage transportation assets. Another primary project requirement is to ensure that the required containers will be always available at the custom‐ ers' premises and within postal operator facilities. This should overcome the tendency for planned or unplanned hoarding of roll containers that causes shortages elsewhere, especial‐ ly at peak times.

Additionally, the lack of visibility of roll container whereabouts led to unnecessary loss since it was not possible to identify where the roll containers disappeared and hence forced expensive purchase of new roll containers to meet the customer service level agreements. System of the monitoring and managing roll cages includes tag (active or passive, it de‐ pends of application), that is placed on a side or on the bottom of the container (Figure 12), it also includes a handheld terminal solution for consignment of roll container, product and destination enabling load control on all roll containers (Figure 13).

The result is avoiding miss-sending and has real-time *t* volume forecasting into all facilities in the network providing efficient and on time production and distribution. Also a handheld terminal solution designed for track and trace of all individual parcels is a part of the solu‐ tion providing key customers with shipment visibility throughout the whole logistic net‐ work. Miss-shipments are prevented by load-control.

**•** Improves availability and load balance throughout the logistics chain.

**•** Provides the ability to monitor the transported delivery time of goods.

Tracking and tracing letter trays throughout the entire postal logistics chain provides bene‐ fits to postal customers, employees and management. The trays are automatically registered in the postal logistics by means of RFID technology. Each letter tray has a tag that communi‐ cates and transmits information to the reader in Real-time load control (Figure 14). Now it is possible for the postal operators to reuse the same RFID network to track & trace postal let‐ ter trays. This new opportunity is a fast pay-back investment with many unique advantages

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**•** Possibility to analyze though-put times of mail and letter trays at distribution centre.

**•** Knowing the location of trays improves their availability throughout the entire logistics

**•** Knowing the location and contents of trays improves the possibility of managing the tray

**•** On automatic handling systems, such as tray sorters, the reading rate can be improved

dramatically compared to that of bar codes - reducing manual intervention.

**•** Being able to identify trays helps to improve service and maintenance.

**•** Prevents hoarding of roll-containers.

**•** Helps to improve supply chain efficiency.

**•** Helps to improve service and maintenance.

**Figure 14.** RFID tags on letter trays and Real-time load control

**•** Better utilization of postal letter trays.

sorting process right on time.

**•** Minimizes losses.

*4.6.3. Letter tray tracking*

to postal operators worldwide.

Key Benefits:

chain.

**Figure 12.** RFID tag placed on the container

**Figure 13.** Handheld terminal

When a roll container is ready for dispatch, the roll container is scanned for destination and product type. If the roll container is lead through a gate not matching the destination, an alert will immediately help correct the mistake. Solution must include Asset Management software platform enabling full, real-time transparency of the location of each roll container and can be also used to track specific mail and parcel transports. [6]. Implementing this sys‐ tem offers unique values. Examples of benefits:


#### *4.6.3. Letter tray tracking*

Tracking and tracing letter trays throughout the entire postal logistics chain provides bene‐ fits to postal customers, employees and management. The trays are automatically registered in the postal logistics by means of RFID technology. Each letter tray has a tag that communi‐ cates and transmits information to the reader in Real-time load control (Figure 14). Now it is possible for the postal operators to reuse the same RFID network to track & trace postal let‐ ter trays. This new opportunity is a fast pay-back investment with many unique advantages to postal operators worldwide.

**Figure 14.** RFID tags on letter trays and Real-time load control

#### Key Benefits:

**Figure 12.** RFID tag placed on the container

428 Radio Frequency Identification from System to Applications

**Figure 13.** Handheld terminal

tem offers unique values. Examples of benefits:

When a roll container is ready for dispatch, the roll container is scanned for destination and product type. If the roll container is lead through a gate not matching the destination, an alert will immediately help correct the mistake. Solution must include Asset Management software platform enabling full, real-time transparency of the location of each roll container and can be also used to track specific mail and parcel transports. [6]. Implementing this sys‐


#### *4.6.4. Mail bag tracking*

Mail bags are widely used all over the world for transporting letters. The use of the mail bags differs between postal operators from transporting standard letters, to added value let‐ ters or to being used in closed customer loops. Each mail bag has a passive RFID tag that contains information about letters, which are inside the bag and some other additional infor‐ mation useful for sorting and other postal processes (Figure 15).

**5. The impact of the operational characteristics on the readability in**

achieve 100% legibility of letters stored in the crate using a postal RFID technology.

In this part we show the reality of using RFID technology to identify the letter by specific analysis of the legibility of letters in the crate. The goal was to assess whether it is possible to

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To determine the success of reading measurements were performed on letter mail stored in the actual postal crate using the RFID reader and two antennas from Alien, label affixed to objects and middleware management program. Under review was to create RFID systems and perform test measurements to evaluate the success of the load of letters stored in crates and stored the measurements are properly presented and evaluated in the framework to cre‐ ate web application related to middleware program that is designed to manage RFID reader. For the purposes of measurement was the technical background of Alien - RFID reader, RFID tags, and two antennas, which was created by the RFID gate. Used middleware pro‐ gram provided by the Italian company Aton, s.p.a. web application was developed in an en‐ vironment with a PHP MySQL database system. Principle of RFID technology is as follows: **•** the base of the system is reading device (reader) RFID systems and serves as a transmitter

**•** part of the reader are one or more antennas through which the reader is able to transmit electromagnetic waves to a radiofrequency, and transmit the encoded information,

**•** using RFID transponder tag is received electromagnetic waves with information encoded

**•** transformation of electromagnetic waves into an electrical charge is possible that the RFID tag is able to broadcast their own radio waves with its own unique encoded information, **•** reader receives the signal modulated with disabilities. The information thus obtained is

Identifiers are polarized as well as antennas. For optimal performance RFID read range and the polarization must be parallel to the polarization of the antenna. For most of the current is the polarization parallel to the longer side. Ideal antenna alignment and location identifier is an identifier in front of the antenna and the longer side oriented parallel to the polariza‐ tion of the antenna. Real but it is virtually impossible to guarantee. In all applications, but it is important to align the antenna with the antenna system identifier reader. Same alignment orientation identifier in phase with the direct model antenna returns optimal results. How‐ ever, the general rule is that the identifier may be disoriented by about 15 ° angle in any di‐ rection with negligible performance degradation. Correct adjustment of the system may allow an even greater tolerance. This tolerance to disorientation system allows you to read the label orientation and angle of presentation changes depending on their trajectory

**postal sector**

and a receiver of radio waves

**5.1. Orientation and location of identifier**

through reading.

converted into an electric charge is stored on RFID tags,

further processed and sent to the superior information systems.

**Figure 15.** RFID tag placed on Mail Bag

Independent of how each postal operator is using the mail bags, tracking them can improve their competitiveness by means of:


Tracking solution is based on:

