The 14 International Conference RELIABILITY and STATISTICS in TRANSPORTATION and COMMUNICATION 2014

Proceedings of the 14th International Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication
(RelStat14), 1518 October 2014, Riga, Latvia, p. 34. ISBN 978-9984-818-70-2
Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Lomonosova 1, LV-1019, Riga, Latvia

LAYER MODEL OF THE POSTAL SYSTEM

Lucia Madlekov1, Radovan Madlek2
1

Univerzity of ilina
ilina, Slovakia, Univerzitn 1
++421 41 5133125, Lucia.Madlenakova@fpedas.uniza.sk
2
Univerzity of ilina ilina,
ilina, Slovakia, Univerzitn 1
++421 41 5133124, Radovan.Madlenak@fpedas.uniza.sk
The paper is devoted to problematic of the postal system. It can by analyse by postal processes along the value chain.
Whereas the postal sector belongs to the network industry, but also in the communications industry, at the analysis it is possible to
look similarity with other systems such as transport and telecommunications. On this basis, the paper shows that by use of sufficient
disaggregation, the postal market/system can be analysed by network layers or both along processes (including clearance,
transportation, sorting and delivery of items) as well as along layers. This new network layers approach will be represented by
designed postal model based on three layers. The first consists of applications/services provided by postal infrastructure, the second
layer consisting of the active part network layer (technology of transportation) and the third layer is passive infrastructure (vehicles,
transport routes) of postal network. The paper will be include important aspects of layer model such as makes the possibility to
define rules for regulating, technical and technological requirements and interfaces to communicate with other postal systems. This
will allow interoperability systems.
Keywords: Postal Transport Network. Model of Postal System. Process. Layer. Interconnection.

Introduction

The assurance of the basic functions for the postal systems of which networks and their technical
and technological equipment must enable interoperability with other postal systems belongs to the
complicated problems that are difficult to solve. Interoperability is not important only in terms of
providing international postal service, but also in a fully liberalized postal market at a national level to
deal with issues of economic competition support and user protection. It is also necessary to consider the
access safety to elements of postal infrastructure or services provided within the frame of the universal
services. The question that arises is the determination of access points in the network of an universal
service provider and the establishment of conditions for access and connection to other postal operators.
This requires the confrontation of processes for collection and distribution of packages with the
construction of postal transmission network and it also requires a search of common intersections in the
postal systems. This fact leads to the idea to examine the postal system not only from a procedural point
of view, but also to look at it as an open communication system, what is typical for other departments of
communication sector (transport, electronic communication).
The aim of this article is to present the formation of layer model for postal system, with the
determination of the basic rules and tasks for mutual communication of individual layers for the purpose
of interoperability assurance and regulation. The model for communication of open systems OSI (Open
System Interconnection) seems to be an appropriate formula for this type of model, which was defined in
1978 by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to avoid problems associated with the use
of large amount of incompatible standards.

The current state of the problem solving and its resource

The postal services and their properties are defined in normative and regulative way. They are
defined by the European postal standards of which content is reflected into national legislation, but they
are defined also by the Acts of the Universal Postal Union, which determine the conditions associated
with the ensurance of territorial coverage with normative attributes of accessibility (local, time and price),
regularity and reliability including the determination of another qualitative indicators for the universal
postal services.

Session 2. Transport and Business Logistic

Normative and regulatory aspect in defining and assessing of the postal services is often completed
by an analysis of the entire postal chain consisting of four basic activities / processes that form the postal
service (collection, sorting, transport, delivery).
This kind of postal services is apparent also in the evaluation European Commission reports or in
the professional reports and discussions of many authors (Heitzler, 2009) (Maegli, M., Jaag, Ch., Koller,
M., Trinkner, U. 2010). It is a view of the postal service to the analysis of processes and sub-processes
taking place in the networks, which is particularly relevant in recent times in terms of addressing
interoperability and control access to the public network. The network character of postal services is not
different from other network systems. The overlapping of common features is apparent mainly in
transport and communicational systems, whether we speak about construction and organization of
networks or in the character and requirements for coverage of territory, mainly in the connection with
regulated services of general public interest.(vadlenka, L., Chla, A.,2009) Although we are accustomed
to portrayal of postal services through the processes and sub-processes, it is possible to see the postal
system at a certain level of abstraction also in layers as in the case of telecommunication services and
transport systems. Agreement is significant especially in terms of the service provided through the model
of layers, in which the basis consists of the physical layer, network layer, and layer of services. The
physical layer represents a means of transport or vehicle of transport and it is responsible for the physical
realisation of transmission in the case of telecommunication. The network layer expresses mainly the
creation of interconnection for transport requirements or for the transfer of message in
telecommunication.

Figure 1: Approaches for network analysis: Telecommunications Infrastructure vs. Postal Infrastructure

Layer model of postal system

We will describe the selection of package and its distribution between postal systems and the way
of its connection on the basis of the model principles OSI. We will describe not only the immediate
shipment of package between the systems, but also the abilities of the system to collaborate and to solve
tasks of relocation with other systems, through which the package is going during its transfer until the
delivery to the addressee. It is possible to characterize the interconnected postal systems on the basis of
grouping that consists of one or more access points, related hardware, terminals / hubs / depots, human
features and vehicles used for the carriage of postal substrate, etc.
Communicating devices in the postal system will be represented by the means of the layer
architecture. This layer architecture is characterized by the hierarchical organisation of the functions
(entities) that are needful for linking system. The highest layer allows the contact with the user interface
(e.g. with network subscribers) and the lowest layer allows the contact with the physical transmission
medium.
Different functions are allocated to the individual layers of model that enable the realisation of "the
system interconnection". The architecture of the open system is made up from number of subsystems layers that are stored on each other. Every layer contains interface between the nearest higher and the

The 14 International Conference RELIABILITY and STATISTICS in TRANSPORTATION and COMMUNICATION 2014

nearest lower layer. The highest layer has the interface towards the user environment and the lowest layer
towards the transmission medium (Madlekov, 2013).
3.3

Basic elements of layer model

A layer can be understood as a part of the networks function. When we monitor the activities that
take place in the postal network, it is clear that those functions depend on each other- one function
provides its services to another while using the services of other layers. Those categories can be called the
layers of network. It is important to note, that only the same layers (equal) of the postal system will
communicate between the sender and the addresee during the relocation process and transport of the
package. Layer (N) does not understand higher layer and does not care about lower layer (N-1), it just
assumes that this layer is ready to accept its demands. It means that the sender and the addressee do not
care about the way of the package shipment, or the type of the network. This task is left to a lower layer.
The function of the network is to arrange that the package reaches the addressee.
Function / functionality will constitute a certain functioning, security operation or determination of
specific activities in the transfer process. It can also determine the relationship between two layers. It
limits the layer competence, role and its importance in ensuring of goal achievement- the transfer of the
package from the sender to the recipient.
The fundamental assumption for secure communication between the sender and the addressee is
the reciprocal interconnection of access points, through which the submission and delivery of the package
into common network or interconnected networks will be ensured. On the other side, their interconnection
does not have to guarantee their ability to communicate with each other. To ensure this condition, it is
necessary to know and use the same communication protocol in both sides. This condition should ensure
desired speed of transfer in the network, its accessibility and network security. Identification of the
sender, recipient, transmitted postal substrate and endpoints in network are related to the use of a suitable
protocol. Protocol can be understood in two ways. It may be characterised as a register, report, record of
the process or a result of the activity or operation, for example a book of records about the acceptance and
dispatch of packages. On the other hand, it may be a sum of the procedures and rules determining the
operation of the installation or method of communication between endpoints in the postal system.
Protocols specify the attributes such as:
assurance of the basic physical connection (road, rail, air) or the existence of other endpoints
or nodes in the network
shipping conditions
procedures for problems solving and irregularities arising in technological processes (what to
do with the damaged packages or with the wrong selected packages, wrongly paid packages,
etc.).
Each layer (N) has specific functions that form a part of the management communication and
defined way of communication with a neighbouring lower (N-1) and higher layer (N +1). This is the way,
how the interface is formed. Higher layer is always an applicant of some service, lower layer is a service
provider for a higher layer. The interface is defined as a border between two layers. It can be a set of
elements that are necessary for the connection of one device to another, for the purpose of ensuring
communication or shipment relocation. The interface in layer postal model is formed by a physical point
(mailbox, post office box), but it is formed also as a set of norms, regulations and protocols defining
characteristics of a connection that may be virtual/ electronic.
The determination of the security and qualitative characteristics is a very important part of
architecture for the layer model.
Security can be understood as a minimalisation of the "vulnerability" whether of the postal
substrate that enters the technological system or instruments and procedures that ensure the distribution of
the postal substrate. Security features provided in the architecture of open systems will be effective only if
they are used together with the safety instruments that belong also beyond the specified architecture.
This means that, if the substrate is secured for example by the cover, barrier or by another element
of protection against loss or damage, but on the other side the access to the postal system does not include
any physical security restrictions, the protection may be pointless. (Madlekov, 2013).
Solutions to questions of safety follow from:

1.

the legislative adaptation dealing with the data protection, for example in the Slovak republic
The Constitution (Article 22) - the guaranteed right of citizens for information
protection in written communication between citizens, which is provided by the

Session 2. Transport and Business Logistic

protection of criminal law - breakdown or disclosure of letter is considered to be a

criminal act
Act. 324/2011 about postal services
general requirements of the UPU Acts and EC Directives to ensure the postal
secrecy as protection, not only in the content of the mail posting, but also in the case of
information about postal items and services,
Act. 122/2013 about the protection of personal data and about alternation of
certain acts

2.

the need to ensure the connectivity of open systems for distribution of packages, in which the
security components are one of the basic requirements of the customer. It is important to
carry out identification of risks and threats for the determination of safety, as well as to set
the necessary countermeasures to eliminate them. The attributes for threats assessment are:
identification of vulnerable place in the system
analysis of threat probability oriented on the usage of identified vulnerable
places
assessment of the impact for each threat
estimation of the costs associated with every attempt for violation
calculation of the costs for countermeasures
selection of identified security mechanisms
The safety measures do not have to be set just at the technical and technological level, they can
also be measures in the form of insurance, because it is not possible to achieve perfect technical and
physical security. The goal of safety measures should be to reduce the risk of violation on acceptable
level.
The quality of the postal service is defined as a degree of achievement of the customers
expectation with the provided service and as a disproportion between expectations and perceptions. The
quality is determined by the normative requirements and its level is dependent not only on the perception
of impact- the output process, but mainly on the quality of the whole process. The postal services contain
the key evaluation criteria that are:
availability of access and contact points of the postal network
time availability of services
time for shipment
safety of shipment
reliability
tangibility and substantivity of services (presence of physical dispatch for providing of
service)
competence and courtesy of staff (skills, abilities and knowledge, sophistication, respect,
friendliness).
The qualitative indicators are currently established normatively only for service category within
the scope of universal service. They result from the recommendations of European Commission
instructions and they are obligatory for the universal service providers being specified by the law of
postal services and quality requirements of the universal service. The determination of the basic
qualitative requirements is necessary from a view of ensuring the interconnection and interoperability of
postal systems. (orejov, T., Rostov, M., Chrenkov, A., Madudov, E.,2013)
3.4

Basic characteristics of the layers formation in the postal system

The layer number 1: The physical layer (the lowest layer of architecture) is identified as a physical
communication (shipment) in available infrastructure (road, rail, air, water), that is provided through
physical media (a means of transport). This layer specifies the characteristics of individual vehicles
(postal rates), such as capacity, loading surface and it also defines the way of shipment. Another devices
that belong into this layer are different types of nodes for example (depots, hubs ...).
The layer number 2: The line (data link) layer provides a connection between two neighbouring
systems, respectively nodes. It identifies and organizes packages from the physical layer into logical units
and it provides the connection of neighbouring nodes and enables the setting of transmission data between
two nodes. Its function is also to ensure the formation of transport units on the basis of codes such as:
(ZIP code, label of direction ...), and it announces the errors of sorting and loading. Its task is to ensure

The 14 International Conference RELIABILITY and STATISTICS in TRANSPORTATION and COMMUNICATION 2014

the functions in transport of postal substrate between the network units and the detection of errors that
occur in physical layer.
The layer number 3: The network layer takes care about the direction of packages within the
network and network addressing. It provides the connection between the systems that are not
neighbouring ones. It means, that some systems have a function of an end source (post) and a goal of
dispatched package (the delivery post office, PO Box...) and vice versa. Some open systems have
functions of internode link (processing centres) that ensures the handover of distributed postal substrate to
another systems. The basic function of this layer is a collection of network-oriented protocols for the goal
of correct shipment (sorting feature, e.g Zip code) and crossing of different technological characteristics
that are applied in individual networks. This layer provides a connecting path between endpoints (the
sender and the addressee), including the use of internodes. It is responsible for the selection of the best
path between the terminal equipments and transport between them, as well as the delivery.
The layer number 4: The transport layer manages the transport of postal item from end node
source (open system), into targeted end node (open system) that is not realised in internodes. This layer
reminds us an illusion as if each node in the network had direct connections with any other node. It
ensures the creation of transport units from expedition of packages and their deconsolidation in delivery.
Its purpose is to provide such quality distribution that is required by higher layers. This required quality is
maintained throughout whole time of the transport connection. Higher layer is informed in the case of
quality failure (service T & T). This includes for example the application of protocols related to the
requirements for distribution with guarantee (recorded packages as registered mail, insurance ...) and the
requirements for distribution without guarantee (non-registered mail). The guarantee can be applied also
to loss and damage of the package.
The layer number 5: The relational (session) layer organizes and synchronizes dialog between corelational layers of both systems and it controls the exchange of data between them. It creates a
connection between the sender and the addressee through the application of defined protocols- the
selection of suitable cover for package and the presentation of personalized features, followed by
submission of package- the enter into the postal system. The mailbox or partition are considered to be the
interface. In the case of systems failure to deliver the package, it may be returned to the sender on the
basis of referred synchronized data- address (sender, recipient).
The layer number 6: The presentation layer transforms the package into the shape that is used by
application. It determines the conditions for the requested service and it sets rules for the choice and
distribution of packages. The protocols are based on legislative measurement. It deals with the formal
aspect of package (cover, address information) and with the preservation of information content during
the transport. Its task is to ensure the secrecy of correspondence.
The layer number 7: The application layer includes the postal service of which disclosure is
required by the sender through the entry of the postal system.
3.5

Design of basic conception for postal system model

We can divide layers on the basis of their characteristics and functional content into two basic
groups: either in terms of their functions within the network, or from the perspective of user access.
Division of layers in terms of their functions within the network:
1. End-oriented layers- they are implemented only into the terminals(application, presentation, session, transport layer).
2. Network-oriented layers- they are dependent on the network technology that is
used and they have to be at least partially implemented into the network (network,
line/data link, physical layer).
Division of layers in terms of their users:
1. User-oriented layers (application, presentation, session layer) - they play
important roles in interpretation of the data to user.
2. Transport-oriented layers (transport, network, line/data link, physical layer) they are related to the distribution of the package.
The transport layer can be described also as so called interlayer that forms an interface between
user-oriented layers and network-oriented layers.
During application of the layer model into environment of the postal system, it is possible to think
about the integration of chosen layers. This is possible just in the case of insufficiency of functional filler,
or in the functional intersection of the individual layers, in which the interface identification between
layers or setting of communicating protocols will be not possible. (Zeman, D., Madlek, R.,2010)

Session 2. Transport and Business Logistic

1. Variant solution- two-layer model

In terms of functional load of the individual layers we can see several options to create a n-layer
model. If we consider the division of layers from the user and network perspective, we will create a basic
2-layer model. (Madlekov, 2013)
This division is based on the separation principle of user oriented layers and network-oriented
layers. User-oriented layers declare the customers request for service on the basis of available offer,
including the determination of conditions for that demand, so that the service can be provided. On
contrary, network-oriented layers are directly related to the relocation of package, so they will perform the
functions related to the processing, transport and organization of transport. User-oriented part of layer
model involves the establishment of basic attributes (characteristics of postal service and postal
conditions), that clearly define to provider, but also to user of the service, their rules for offered service,
price, delivery date, possibilities of claim, guarantee, the way of package identity and so on. It is actually
a contract issue, which includes a declaration of obligation to respect and fulfil the conditions by the user
and the provider. Postal contract may include also arrangements in relation to other activities that are
provided to the user of the postal services for example activities related to the collection of mailing and
postal item creation.

Figure 2. Two-layer model of postal system

2. Variant solution-three-layer model

The second option is the creation of a model that works in three layers, established on the basis of
their functionality, in which the theory of network systems works with them on the basis of ISO/OSI
recommendations. User-oriented part of the layer model is the same as in the previous case, it is more
oriented on the field of determining the commercial-marketing parameters and defining of the
relationship: user-provider. Modelling of other parts is based on the assumption that an important part of
the model, that contains clear rules regarding the determination of technological processing of the
package (the type of the service is important), is a transport layer. This is the reason why, its function is
irreplaceable in the model, and it is not appropriate to combine it with lower network-oriented layers that
are equally important. (Madlekov, 2013)

Figure 3. Three-layer model of postal system

The 14 International Conference RELIABILITY and STATISTICS in TRANSPORTATION and COMMUNICATION 2014

Conclusions

The idea and the purpose of this paper consist in problematic solving of postal system model
through the decomposition into independent subsystems by the form of layer network model depiction.
Postal service that is generally understood as a sequence of processes for collection and distribution of
package can be presented through the security functions in identified layers of postal systems.
Another reason why to think about the postal system in the forms of layers is its wider range of
services and their penetration into the field of electronic communication, that are becoming necessary part
of delivery services, mainly in the form of supplementary services that increase the positive perception of
the customer. Interesting part is the creation of hybrid products involving ICT into the process of selection
and distribution, when the part of the chain is realized through the electronic means. This creates space
for discussion, especially in the field of service regulation. Into which regime of regulation can we
include these services? Which regulating organ should solve this regulation? Which regulating orders or
means will be redundant and which will be absent?

Acknowledgements
VEGA 1/0421/12 Modeling of diffusion knowledge in corporate value chains (Modelovanie difzie
znalost v podnikovch hodnotovch reazcoch).
KEGA-053U-4/2013 Improvement and interconnection the key subjects of the study program
Ecommerce and Management (Skvalitnenie a prepojenie kovch predmetov tudijnho programu
Elektronick obchod a manament).
This article was created in response to a project co-financed by EU's "Quality of education and human
resources development as the pillars of the knowledge society at the Faculty PEDAS University of Zilina,
ITMS 26110230083" (Kvalita vzdelvania a rozvoj udskch zdrojov ako piliere vedomostnej

Modern education for the knowledge society / Project co-financed from EU sources (Modern
vzdelvanie pre vedomostn spolonos/Projekt je spolufinancovan zo zdrojov E)

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