Heathrow’s Terminal 5

British Airways’ new Terminal 5 at Heathrow International Airport in London will open in March 2008. The terminal complex alone is equal in size to all of Gatwick airport.

One innovation — in the short-term-parking garages, when you get your parking slip a picture is taken of your license plate. Illuminated arrows on the floor guide you. When you return, slipping the ticket into a reader will display the car’s location on a map.

Another innovation (being built) will be an automated transport system using 4-person, driverless, electric “pod” cars running between a business parking lot and the check-in area. If successful, passengers will wait about 12 seconds for a ride.