Heathrow are attempting to reduce congestion on the transport buses by introducing a new traffic system for the airport. The system features 21 electric shuttles which have no need for drivers as they are controlled using computers, the system is the only one in the world.
The 21 shuttles will run along a two and a half mile pathway between the business car park and Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Each shuttle carries 4 passengers, as well as their luggage, travelling at 25mph, the system is targeted to carry over 500,000 passengers every year.
Advanced Transport Systems Ltd, with help from Bristol University, are currently developing the system for Heathrow Airport. The company have said that the shuttles are environmentally friendly as they are run on laser guidance and computers, while being easy and comfortable to use.
The new system is the spark that will begin the production of fully automated, driverless cars that will deliver us to anywhere we want. Systems that we see in futuristic films such as I-Robot and Minority Report look like less of a dream and more like reality.
As we see this technology become more developed, out lives could be changed for the better as our cars would detect traffic movements and avoid collisions, saving lives. Despite these changes sounding great for us, whether the car sector and the contract hire industry will enjoy having to make these changes to another matter.
With all the recent trouble within the motor industry, the last thing car manufacturers and companies offering cheap van leasing will want is to have to design, build and buy in a new range of driverless vehicles. Although I guess technology won’t stop because the motoring industry doesn’t like it and I wouldn’t be shocked if we eventually saw businesses offering a driverless BMW lease.
Tags: airports, car leasing, cars, heathrow, planes