Background Research

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Package Sorting Systems

How are packages transported and sorted?
Millions of packages are shipped every day, requiring complex logistic installations to get these packages to their destinations. We are looking into the package transportation system as we could apply it in our mailbox system. The two main elements in package transportation and sorting are conveyor belts and barcodes. Conveyor belts are still the most efficient tools for mass transportation within a facility and barcodes are cheap and reliable for keeping track of the package.

The packages are moved to another belt using air-powered rubber levers. Robot arms that are commonly seen in factories are not regularly used in these mass transportation complexes as they would cause a slower and less efficient process.

How are packages transported and sorted?
There are other ways of sorting packages that are not used in the big complexes but that could be useful for our system. The idea of a marble sorter could for example be applied. To get a package to a certain mailbox, there could be some tubes above it. By opening and closing certain hatches, a package would follow a predefined path and end up in the mailbox where it is supposed to go. [1] [2]

Simple Programming Functions

Marble Sorter

Reflex Agent?

Rules & Regulations

Drones & UAS

"Drone: an unmanned aircraft or ship that can navigate autonomously, without human control or beyond line of sight" [3]

Question: What flight regulations exist for drones in regards to height?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has several regulations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Flight operations range from ground level to above 50,000 feet, depending on the specific type of aircraft. Drones, which fall under UAS regulations, are not allowed in Class B airspace (over large cities &/or airports) nor are the allowed to be flown above 400 feet due to interfere with national airspace [4] [5].Nowhere, however, have I been able to find a minimum height for these innovations to fly, as long they operate with no means to public harm.

Question: How does one get approval for commercial drone use?
Commercial drone package delivery would fall under the Civil UAS classification.
Currently, for civil operations one would have to apply for a “Special Airworthy Certificate, Experimental Category.” In this process one would have to show that the system can be operated safely, cause no harm to public, provide a description of how the system works etc. [6] This approval is granted for certain areas such as R&D, Market research and crew training for example [7].

The FAA Regulations are being revised due to the increase in interest of commercial and personal use of UAS’s. They are improving their UAS airworthiness certification process and developing a path for safe integration of civil UAS. How they plan to control these situations is still unclear, but I believe approval for UAS use will still be required.

What this means for our scenario:
Since we assume that drone will be able to make the delivery to our “mailbox” we have to project what the FAA may do in regards to safety & drone delivery. The above questions reveal that public safety is very important, so when designing we should consider that humans should be kept out of harm’s way when the drone is delivering a package. Whether that be through creation of a special garage the drone lands to drop, or a drop-off platform out of humans reach is up to us.

Mailboxes

The US postal service has certain requirements for mailboxes in varying locations (suburbs vs apartments vs city etc.) The location, height and size are all relative to the circumstance. Overall, however, a mail slot size may be minimally: 1.75 inches high by 10 inches wide [8].
There are many different kinds of mailboxes. For apartment purposes you may see cluster boxes (possibly located outside), horizontal boxes, or vertical boxes. View mailbox products here.

Are there package mailboxes?
Yes, a T3 mailbox. It can hold bigger mail drops. Approved dimensions are no larger than 22 1/2 inches long, 8 inches wide and 11 1/2 inches high. [9].

Regulations for approval of new mailbox/package box design?
There are guidelines for residential mailboxes curbside & door slots. [10]

What this means for our scenario:
Knowing these various kinds of mailboxes exist allow us to consider them in our design process. Possibly one of these models can serve as a shell for our system design. The guidelines for residential mailboxes, just show what has to be considered should we expand to developing mailboxes for non-apartment scenarios. The USPS has strict guides for this.

Deliveries (Fre)

Question: How are packages delivered to apartments?
Insert Info Here

Question: When is signature required for package deliveries?
Insert Info Here

Is there transition in the way mail is being delivered?
Insert Info Here

Materials

  • Conveyor Belt
  • Bar Code Scanner
  • Wood
  • Locks
  • etc.

References

  1. ↑ Vanderwerf, L. (2009, Dec 29). Students' marble sorters could lead to engineering careers. McClatchy - Tribune Business News Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/458947157?accountid=27128
  2. ↑ Wilson, Tracy V.. "How UPS Works" 01 November 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://money.howstuffworks.com/ups.htm>
  3. ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/drone
  4. ↑ "Unmanned Aircraft Systems." (2014, 20 Aug). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/uas/>
  5. ↑ “Fact Sheet – Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS) (2014, 6 Jan). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14153>
  6. ↑ "Civil Operations (Non-Governmental)." (2014, 15 July). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/uas/civil_operations/>
  7. ↑ "Experimental Category."(2011, 7 June). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment/>
  8. ↑ "Mailbox Guidelines." (2014). USPS.com. USPS. <https://www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm>
  9. ↑ Bonsai Media Group. (2013, 23 Sept.). "A Guide to USPS Mailbox Regulations." Mail Boss - Locking Security Mailbox. Epoch Design.< http://www.mailboss.com/blog/guide-usps-mailbox-regulations/>
  10. ↑ "Mailbox Guidelines." (2014). USPS.com. USPS. <https://www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm>
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