Denver Airport Automated Baggage System

Source: John Swartz, Dr Dobbs Journal (Registration required)

Client
Denver International Airport

Project
The Denver International Airport Automated Baggage System (DIA ABS)

Deployment date
1994

Cause of failure
Report of computer simulation was late, and was not considered

Technical cause of failure
Planes Deadlocked due to limited number of carts. (1 baggage per cart)

Estimated Cost
$195 million

Actual Project Costs
$250 million,
delayed,
unreliable
Project was eventually shelfed, and returned to using baggage handlers, saving $1 m per day

Remarks
John Swartz reran the simulation using Amiga and a free Lisp, arriving at the same results.

References
R. deNeufville Baggage System at Denver: Prospects and Lessons" (Journal of Air Transport Management, December 1994