Heathrow Airport has put into place a new technology that could eventually become common place due to its usefulness. Over 100,000 passengers arrive at the airport every day and they will now find an easier way to continue their journey from the airport.
Digital smart screens have been set up in Terminal 2’s baggage reclaim zones. They display taxi and train information in real time. Prices and travel information are also part of the on screen information given to passengers to help them in the next part of their journey from the airport. A ‘journey comparison generator’ uses GPS enabled real time traffic information, as well as weather and train service updates and helps passengers decide if taxis or trains are the cheaper and speedier option available to them. Road traffic accident alerts are also part of the technology.
The screens were paid for and produced by Heathrow Express, the train service that connects passengers from Paddington to the airport, JCDecaux Airport UK which sells media space, and digital agency DOOH.com. The latter worked on the technology that brings together real time data feeds from Google Maps, the Highways Agency, traffic information and Heathrow’s timetable information.
Heathrow Express Director, Fraser Brown, has said that the aim of the ‘journey comparison generator’ is to enable passengers to get into London as speedily and cheaply as possible. He said that the real time data available will offer comparison between trains and taxis and will enable passengers to make informed choices.
Plans are in place to put more screens in terminals 3 and 5. This summer the screens will become multi lingual, translating travel information for the majority of passengers on the arrival flight.
Smart phone users have already had access to similar technology but the deployment of the digital smart screens now makes this available to all.