Funding was approved in 2004 for 1,632 additional DBCS stacker modules that will increase the sortation capability of these machines. First Article testing in July 2004 was successful. Nearly half were deployed in 2004; the remainder expected in 2005.

Deployment of more than 9,000 wide field of view (WFOV) cameras was completed in early 2004. The WFOV cameras replaced the aging and obsolete wide area barcode readers (WABCRs) on all existing DBCS, DIOSS, and carrier sequence barcode sorter (CSBCS) machines. This camera system can read information based indicia (IBI) codes and demonstrated a significant improvement over the WABCR in reading Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET) and Postal Alpha Numeric Encoding Technique (PLANET) barcodes.

b. Flat Mail Automation

1. Flat Mail Video Coding Operation at Remote Encoding Centers

For flats that are not pre-barcoded by the mailer, the currently deployed technology requires retranslating the address at each subsequent distribution operation. The Flat ID Code Sort (FICS) program applies an identification (ID) tag to each non-barcoded flat and saves the address coding result from the OCR or the remote encoding center (REC). In subsequent operations, FICS reads the ID tag and sorts the mail using the saved ZIP Code information. By eliminating multiple keyings of the same images at the REC, FICS will enable the Postal Service to further automate flat sorting operations. Additionally, FICS will allow the Postal Service to support future efforts in flat delivery point sequencing and intelligent mail initiatives, such as making information about mail status available to customers in programs like Confirm.

Deployment of FICS began in May 2004. To date 251 systems have been deployed to the Capital Metro and Southeast Areas. Completion of deployment to all AFSM 100s is expected by June 2005.

2. Feeder Enhancements and Recognition Improvements for Flat Sorting Machines

Deployment of 1,627 feeder enhancement retrofits to upgrade feeders on all 537 AFSM 100s was completed in 2004. The changes have made the AFSM 100 easier to operate and maintain. This program has improved throughput by more than 10 percent on the AFSM 100, which handles over 75 percent of the flats sorted in Postal Service processing plants. Further development of feeder improvements and other AFSM 100 enhancements will be evaluated during 2005.

FSM 1000s that have been modified with automated flats feeders and optical character readers are referred to as the upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000. Deployment of improvements to further enhance the read rates on both the UFSM 1000 and the AFSM 100 is planned in 2005.

3. Advanced Flats Preparation with Automatic Induction for the AFSM 100

Field tests in 2004 indicated significant labor savings on a fully automated feeding system for the AFSM 100. The system uses ergonomic work stations to prepare flats in automation-compatible trays. A mechanical tray handling system transports these trays to the AFSM 100 feed stations where the mail is automatically inducted without operator intervention. The Board of Governors approved the purchase of 210 Automatic Induction Systems in September 2004 and a contract was awarded in that month. Deployment is scheduled to begin in fall 2005 and be completed by August 2006.

c. Parcel Automation

The Automated Package Processing System (APPS) is the Postal Service's next generation machine for sorting parcels and bundles of mail. It is intended to replace the older, more labor-intensive small parcel and bundle sorter. APPS further automates package distribution and provides greater processing capacity through automatic package induction, singulation, and address recognition using an optical character reader/barcode reader/video coding system. The high throughput requirements (up to 9,500 pieces per hour with up to 200 separations) are supported by automated container unloading. The system also collects detailed information about each package, such as package type, size and weight, and supports in-route tracking of Delivery Confirmation codes.

In 2004 the Postal Service accepted the first unit and started deployment of a total of 74 machines. The deployment is expected to be completed in 2005.

2. Remote Encoding Centers

The automated distribution of mail relies on barcodes that represent the mailpiece address. For pieces that are not pre-barcoded by the mailer, the Postal Service translates the address and applies the barcode. When all computer-based means of resolving address information have been exhausted, an image of the address is sent to a remote encoding center (REC) where operators use video display terminals and keyboards to process the address information. The results of this encoding are sent back electronically to the facility that has the mailpiece, thereby keeping the mailpiece in the automated mailstream.