In line with other UK airports, London Heathrow Airport introduced a Terminal Drop-Off Charge (TDOC) – a charge for dropping passengers off at the terminal – to encourage use of public transport or car sharing and to help achieve its sustainability objectives. Arup was involved from initial design through delivery, launch and beyond, providing advisory services and support to Heathrow. 

We designed implementation of a barrierless ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and back-office payment system to create a seamless customer experience: the first captures vehicles entering and exiting, the second allows automatic payment. We worked with internal stakeholders to align with their standards and policies. Their feedback helped create a design that minimises the impact on regular users such as customers, taxi drivers and airlines, and our testing strategy made it possible to launch the scheme quickly. 

Our close relationship with Heathrow Airport and the other key stakeholders, plus our expertise in areas of data analytics, IT infrastructure and transport consulting, meant Arup was able to deliver the project in 12 months, rather than the expected 24, despite it being enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic. The TDOC was awarded Technology Project of the Year in the Association for Project Management Project Management Awards for 2022.  

Sustainability consulting 

The TDOC supports the decarbonisation of Heathrow Airport’s operations by encouraging travellers to use public transport or ride share when travelling to the airport. The implementation of a barrierless solution also avoids additional carbon emissions caused by vehicles queuing to enter and exit the forecourts. Minimising traffic congestion brings benefits not only to the environment but also to the local community, which benefit from improved air quality and reduced noise pollution.