Has RFID’s time finally arrived at cargo facilities?

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is hardly a cutting-edge technology. The system of scanning and identifying objects through the use of radio waves has roots that reach back to World War II. Since then, it’s been used in countless tracking systems to monitor the movement of trucks and goods. In the air cargo world, adoption of RFID has been slow to develop. However, a new track-and-trace system developed by Franwell, Inc., and View Technologies is proving that you don’t always need new technology to be innovative. The Franwell system, called CargoAware, now being rolled out at several Air Canada Cargo facilities, uses standard RFID antennas to collect data passively on individual items and ULD containers moving through cargo facilities, and record the movements in real time.