News release - embargo until 00:01 20 April 2015

World first: Smart screens at Heathrow compare live airport transfer options 

Screens have been installed at Heathrow Terminal 2 showing passengers live price and journey time comparisons between taxis and the airport's train service to central London.

The screens - a world first - combine real-time traffic, weather and Heathrow Express train service information into one user-friendly data feed, or 'journey comparison generator,' at the terminal's baggage reclaim zone.

The aim is to help customers make the fastest and cheapest choice of onward travel.

Fraser Brown, Heathrow Express director, said: “The aim of the 'journey comparison generator' is to enable Heathrow passengers to get into London as speedily, easily and cheaply as possible. By harnessing many different sources of real-time data into one we are helping make this happen.

“Research shows Heathrow Express trains are three times faster than taxis and a quarter of the price. These screens show how that comparison varies minute to minute depending on traffic, weather and time of day.”

This summer the screens at each baggage carousel will be translated to the main language - Italian, Russian etc - of people on the arriving flight, and later in the year they will be installed across Heathrow's Terminals 3 and 5.

The project was jointly devised and created by Heathrow Express, which connects Heathrow and Paddington in just 15 minutes, every 15 minutes; JCDecaux Airport UK, which sells media space; and digital agency DOOH.com, which links digital networks.

Alan Sullivan, Managing Director at JCDecaux Airport, said: “We are delighted to be such an integral part of this world-first proposition that has the ability to transform how brands communicate to passengers as well as enhance travellers' airport experiences.”

DOOH.com tackled the complex task of bringing together five different layers of real-time data feeds, including GPS traffic information used in TomTom car satnavs, Google, Highways Agency, the Met Office and timetable information from Heathrow Express.

Andrew Newman, co-founder of DOOH.com, said: “Our mission is to help brands make campaigns smart and built around right-time messaging. This dynamic technology provides customer-focussed information in the future.”

Ends

Notes to editors: images, footage and interviews are available:

Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express topped the autumn National Rail Passenger Survey, published in January by Consumer Focus, with 94% for 'overall satisfaction.'  It is a non-stop train service between Paddington station and Heathrow. With its electric trains taking 15 minutes, every 15 minutes, it is the fastest, most reliable and most sustainable way to travel to and from Britain's hub airport.

heathrowexpress.com; @heathrowexpress; facebook.com/HeathrowExpress

Media contacts: Sarah Johnson: Lotus UK + 44 207 953 7470: sarah@lotus-uk.co.uk

Simon Evans: Heathrow Express + 44 7720 340 660:     simon.evans@heathrowexpress.com

JCDecaux Airport

JCDecaux Airport is the UK's number one airport advertising company, offering opportunities at Heathrow, London Luton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen Airports; on the Heathrow Express, at Eurostar and Eurotunnel, delivering key branding opportunities at the most important gateways into the UK. JCDecaux Airport offers exceptional media opportunities reaching over 131 million influential passengers each year.

Media contact: Gabriella Navarro, + 44 207 298 1753: Gabriella.navarro@jcdecaux.co.uk

DOOH.com

DOOH.com, formerly Enigma, fuses digital, mobile and social to help clients create interactive and dynamic campaigns across digital out of home advertising screens. 

Media contact: Rich Leigh: Rich Leigh & Company + 44 7917 656 966  rich@richleighandco.com