Passenger walking speed data for Australian domestic airports

The data covers the speed at which passengers walk through Australian domestic airport terminals, based on their group size.

Simulation-based input loading condition optimisation of airport baggage handling systems

Scheduling check-in station operations are a challenging problem within airport systems. Prior to determining check-in resource schedules, an important step is to estimate the Baggage Handling System (BHS) operating capacity under non-stationary conditions. This ensures that check-in stations are not overloaded with bags, which would adversely affect the system and cause cascade stops and blockages. Cascading blockages can potentially lead to a poor level of service and in worst scenario a customer may depart without their bags. This paper presents an empirical study of a multiobjective problem within a BHS system. The goal is to estimate near optimal input operating conditions, such that no blockages occurs at check-in stations, while minimising the baggage travel time and maximising the throughput performance measures. We provide a practical hybrid simulation and binary search technique to determine a near optimal input throughput operating condition. The algorithm generates capacity constraint information that may be used by a scheduler to plan check-in operations based on flight arrival schedules.

Responding to terrorism through networks at sites of critical infrastructure : a case study of Australian airport security networks

The importance of effective multilateral security networks is widely recognised in Australia and internationally as being essential to facilitate the large-scale sharing of information required to respond to the threat of terrorism. Australian national security agencies are currently constructing networks in order to bring the diverse national and international security agencies together to achieve this. This paper examines this process of security network formation in the area of critical infrastructure protection, with particular emphasis on airport security. We address the key issues and factors shaping network formation and the dynamics involved in network practice. These include the need for the networks to extend membership beyond the strictly defined elements of national security; the integration of public and private ‘nodes’ in counter-terrorism ‘networks’; and the broader ‘responsibilisation’ of the private sector and the challenges with ‘enabling’ them in counter-terrorism networks. We argue that the need to integrate public and private agencies in counter-terrorism networks is necessary but faces considerable organisational, cultural, and legal barriers.

Supporting disconnected operations in mobile computing

Mobile computing has enabled users to seamlessly access databases even when they are on the move. However, in the absence of readily available high-quality communication, users are often forced to operate disconnected from the network. As a result, software applications have to be redesigned to take advantage of this environment while accommodating the new challenges posed by mobility. In particular, there is a need for replication and synchronization services in order to guarantee availability of data and functionality, (including updates) in disconnected mode. To this end we propose a scalable and highly available data replication and management service. The proposed replication technique is compared with a baseline replication technique and shown to exhibit high availability, fault tolerance and minimal access times of the data and services, which are very important in an environment with low-quality communication links.

OzBot TM - Haptic augmentation of a teleoperated robotic platform for search and rescue operations

A continued increase in computing power, sensor capability, software functionality, immersive interfaces and hardware modularity has given robot designers seemingly endless potential in the area of mobile robotics.  While some mobile robotic system designers are focusing on expensive, full-featured platforms, developers are realising the advantages of emerging technology in providing small, low-cost mobile reconnaissance vehicles as expendable teleoperated robotic systems.  The OzBot^TM mobile reconnaissance platform presents one such system.  The design objectives of the OzBot^TM platform focus on the development of inexpensive, lightweight carry-case sized robots for search and rescue operations, law enforcement scenarios and hazardous environment inspection.  The incorporation of Haptic augmentation provides the teleoperator with improved task immersion for an outdoor search and rescue scenario.  Achieved in cooperation with law enforcement agencies within Australia, this paper discusses the performance of the first four revisions of the OzBot^TM platform.

Technical and scale efficiency of Islamic banking operations in Malaysia: an empirical investigation with a longitudinal perspective

Against the background of increasing competition from globalization and the trend towards consolidation, diversification and rationalization, the study of efficiency is most relevant in the Malaysian Islamic banking context, where all domestic commercial banks operate Islamic banking schemes. Using the non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), this study investigates the recent efficiency of the Malaysian Islamic Banking system. The attributions of technical efficiency (utilization of capacity) and scale efficiency (optimality of scale achieved) are identified. Further, Islamic Banking Schemes operating under the dual banking system of foreign and domestic commercial banks were benchmarked to the country's two full-fledged Islamic banks to provide insight of the relative efficiencies. Amidst an overall improvement in TE and SE, it was noted that foreign banks (FB) increased efficiency levels to achieve full efficiency over the six-year period, and domestic banks (DB) followed by smaller improvement while the fully-fledged Islamic banks (FFIE) experienced a general decline in efficiency which was solely attributed to scale inefficiency. The findings provide useful guidelines for policy implications and may also assist banks concerned with their strategic planning with regard to the future of Islamic banking.

Mathematical thinking: a screening profile for 'operations'

This paper comments on and adapts the screening profile developed from 'ACER Mathematics Profile Series (MAPS): Operations' (1977). A sample screening profile worksheet for 'Operations' is provided. This adaptation of the ACER MAPS Operations test may help teachers identify students who are able to use more advanced levels of mathematical thinking. Survey results may help form ability groups, deliver special needs curriculum materials, and guide students tackling the algebra curriculum.

Entering China : an operations management case study

Market forces and international competition are driving companies to reduce costs. The operations management issues experienced by 50 Australian companies when investing in China were examined. Many experiences were found to be common to most of the participant's industries. Relationships with government, associations, local partners and members of supply chains were considered highly important. Levels of technology in China were not considered to be a significant issue. Access to staff with sufficient technology training (particularly for product development) and technology implementation was an important issue. The paper presents a model relating the various operations management issues identified to one another.

Cholinesterase response in native birds exposed to fenitrothion during locust control operations in Eastern Australia

Huge aggregations of flightless locust nymphs pose a serious threat to agriculture when they reach plague proportions but provide a very visible and nutritious resource for native birds. Locust outbreaks occur in spring and summer months in semiarid regions of Australia. Fenitrothion, an organophosphate pesticide, is sprayed aerially to control locust plagues. To evaluate fenitrothion exposure in birds attending locust outbreaks, we measured total plasma cholinesterase (ChE), butrylcholinesterase (BChE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in four avian species captured pre- and postfenitrothion application and ChE reactivation in birds caught postspray only. Eleven of 21 plasma samples from four species had ChE activity below the diagnostic threshold (two standard deviations below the mean ChE activity of prespray samples). Granivorous zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and insectivorous white-winged trillers (Lalage sueurii) had significantly lower mean plasma total ChE, BChE, and AChE activity postspray, while other insectivores, white-browed (Artamus superciliosus) and masked woodswallows (Artamus personatus), did not. Cholinesterase was reactivated in 19 of the 73 plasma samples and in one of three brain samples. We conclude that native bird species are exposed to fenitrothion during locust control operations. This exposure could have detrimental impacts, as both locust outbreaks and avian reproductive events are stimulated by heavy summer rainfall, leading to co-occurrence of locust control and avian breeding activities.