Heathrow Airport will use cutting-edge technology to track in real-time millions of components destined for its major runway expansion project.

New Siemens system will enable real-time tracking of components needs to deliver three runway expansion

The airport operator said the new tracking system would transform the way that major infrastructure is delivered in the UK.

Its four logistic hub sites, which will be selected from a shortlist of bidders next year, will be hooked-up to the new centralised system to keep the incredibly complex expansion project moving.

This will allow a network of separate offsite construction centres to work in unison throughout construction.

The technology is being introduced by Siemens Digital Logistics, which pitched the system as part of the Heathrow Innovation Partners process.

This saw more than 150 supply chain businesses submit ideas on how expansion could be delivered more efficiently and affordably.

Now Siemens Digital Logistics has been selected as one of the businesses that will see its idea become integral to the airport’s offsite strategy.

Since 2017, the airport has been looking for communities keen to become Logistics Hubs, construction centres that pre-assemble parts of the expanded airport offsite before transporting them to west London in consolidated loads just as they are needed.

Emma Gilthorpe, Executive Director of Heathrow Expansion said: “Expansion secured the overwhelming support of MPs  across the country because it was clear that the project would deliver for every region in the UK.

“This announcement sees two exciting opportunities coming together, as we green light a ground-breaking solution from an Innovation Partner with the final step in our search for Expansion Logistics Hubs.�