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Passengers at one of the UK’s busiest international airports are now receiving important travel disruption information in parts of the airport previously not served by passenger information displays, both inside and outside.
Gatwick Airport, the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the UK, is trialling L.B. Foster’s new all-weather Inform mobile totem. Almost 50 million passengers pass through the airport annually.
David Swain, South Terminal Operations Manager, London Gatwick Airport says: “As the Terminal Operations Manager for the South Terminal, I understand the importance of displaying passenger information in a format that they find engaging and useful.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve the passenger journey and be more efficient in giving information in a timely manner; embracing new technology is a big part of this and our passengers expect it. The flexibility of L.B. Foster’s Inform totem display screens has given us a dynamic and innovative way of displaying different information to suit different situations, such as assisting passenger airport wayfinding during disruption, or during the implementation of new projects.
Emma Backhurst is Terminal Shift Manager at Gatwick Airport. She commented: “From using the totem we found some of the design features have set the unit apart from others we use. It is extremely easy to move around, has a 24 hour battery time and only a four-hour charging cycle. This is really important when you work in a fast-paced environment like Gatwick and the clarity of the display is excellent.”
David Swain continues: “The team at L.B. Foster has been great to work with and made trialling the unit stress-free, they have also gone above and beyond with helping us last minute during a project, really showing us how quick it is to display information on a tight schedule.
“The totem has proven to be very user-friendly with only a short presentation needed to train staff, the simplicity of deploying it has been a great advantage when choosing where it can be best used. In a short time, the trial has generated multiple enquiries from different projects around the business in passenger facing areas. We are glad to be working with L.B. Foster and hope to grow a long term relationship, delivering improved communications to Gatwick’s passengers together.”
Inform by L.B. Foster was launched into the rail sector in 2017 as the UK’s first battery-powered totem display, delivering a completely self-contained, wireless solution to mobile information messaging. The totem’s intelligent Content Management System (CMS) is another smart technology solution. Display content can be updated on the go from a tablet or laptop. That means information is up-to-the-minute with updates made live in real-time.
Dagan Bradbury, Project Manager, L.B. Foster TEW Control and Display, is part of the team behind the development of Inform. He is acutely aware of the safety and security implications when designing and specifying mobile electronics for use in the airport and rail sectors. He says: “New products specified for use in airports and at stations need to be tested to ensure they perform to the highest level under destructive forces.”
The Aviation Security In Airport Development (ASIAD) is a UK Government policy document intended to guide those in the planning, design and development of new airports and airport terminals, as well as those who have responsibility for management, maintenance and refurbishment of existing airport facilities. Its scope includes all airport infrastructure, not just security facilities.
A joint government agency guidance document was produced by the Department for Transport in 2012 entitled ‘Security in Design of Stations (SIDOS) guide’. Typical physical security measures encompass minimising the effects of an explosion, considering structural robustness, and minimising the use of glass as a cladding material.
Crossley Consult is a leading independent firm of engineers, consultants and technical specialists with expertise in the design and use of structural glazing within the urban environment. Mike Crossley says: “Inform by L.B. Foster was tested and performed well to standards designed to keep airports and railway infrastructure safe, ASIAD 2017 (Aviation Security In Airport Development), SIDOS 2019 (Security In the Design Of Stations)”.
Dagan Bradbury continues: “Getting the green light that Inform is suitable for use in airports and on stations is a real bonus. We knew that its mobility, combined with wifi and battery power, gave us a real USP in the market, but the fact it performed well under ASIAD and SIDOS testing means we have stolen a lead on our competitors.”
For more information visit www.lbfoster.eu and search Inform.
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