As Heathrow prepares to select its final four construction sites to undertake work for the expansion of the airport, a new centralized tracking system has been revealed to connect all the locations. The system will serve as a nerve-center, enabling the network of separate offsite sites, called Logistics Hubs, to work in unison throughout the project.
The technology will track and monitor millions of component parts of the expanded airport, providing updates to the construction sites and keeping the incredibly complex expansion project moving.
The system is being supplied by Siemens Digital Logistics and was chosen as part of the Heathrow Innovation Partners process. According to Siemens and Heathrow, the system is integral to the airport’s offsite strategy and could potentially transform the way that major infrastructure is delivered in the UK in the future.
Since 2017, Heathrow has been looking for communities keen to become Logistics Hubs – construction centers that pre-assemble parts of the expanded airport offsite before transporting them to West London in consolidated loads just as they are needed. The final four sites, which are set to be announced next year, will use this centralised tracking technology for the efficient management of the project.
Emma Gilthorpe, executive director, Heathrow Expansion, said, “The Expansion project can benefit communities and businesses way beyond West London, so it’s great to see more partners joining us in our relentless search for opportunities to unlock value across the UK, as we deliver this once in a generation project.”