Work begins on Heathrow electric pod transport system

Work has begun on a new low-energy, battery-powered transit system to move passengers around Heathrow Airport.

The first phase of the Personal Rapid Transit System will see 18 driverless vehicles being used to ferry people from the new Terminal 5 to the business car park.

Heathrow Airport operator BAA told the BBC website that they aim to have the guided vehicles operational in 2009, with each vehicle capable of carrying four passengers and their luggage.

As well as reducing congestion and speeding up journey times, BAA claimed that the new pods do not produce any emissions when travelling, though they will remain on trial for a year at Terminal 5 before any decision is made as to whether to roll them out across the airport.

Heathrow's Terminal 5 is scheduled to open in March 2008, with the location already set to offer three new car parks, providing 7,000 additional parking spaces.

Measures previously announced by the airport authorities to ensure enhanced transport facilities for the new terminal include a road junction linking the transit point with the M25 and Automatic Number Plate Recognition to allow ease of entry and exit for those pre-booking spaces in the car parks.

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