Heathrow Pods ULTra - end to end!

A slightly unusual video here - I take the famous driverless "Heathrow Pods" from one end of the track to the other and film the whole thing.
The system began passenger trials at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5, in October 2010 and opened for full passenger service 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, in May 2011. Operational statistics in May 2012 demonstrate 99% reliability and an average passenger wait time over the year of 10 seconds. Ultra has achieved a number of awards from the London Transport Awards and the British Parking Awards.
It connects Heathrow Terminal 5 to its business passenger car park, just north of the airport, by a 3.9-kilometre line built on behalf of BAA, the airport's owner and operator. The system cost £30 million to develop.
More stuff about the ULTra technology can be found on WikiPedia.
The next flight-based trip report will be posted next week! Thanks for watching.....and SUBSCRIBE!
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[@Eunos]

Anytime I have to go to Terminal 5.. I can never resist a cheeky little ride on these things ;D

[@BenBowman97]

Those are really cool. I was not aware of such a system existing anywhere. Nicely done video- as usual!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Ben Bowman Thanks Ben. And these are free to ride on!

[@BenBowman97]

Paul's Trip Reports Even better! Do you have any more videos on the way?

[@williamerazo3921]

@@BenBowman97 Madir City and Morgantown

[@erikvannewkirk964]

@@Paul_Lucas how do the pods know where to go

[@RandomTFLupdates-PEPS_FOR_LIFE]

​@@erikvannewkirk964when you book it at the stop , it tells the pod that the passenger wants to go to terminal 5 so then the system talks to the pod like they would on a plane to the ATC people like : take this track to this point then tat track to that point then la da da da da . The way its programed though is rather weird but also really cool at the same time!

[@archstanton8421]

Whenever I'm at T5 I always go for a ride on these. It amazes me that they are free, have always been free, and that there are not crowds of people queuing to have a ride themselves. One of the best kept secrets at Heathrow.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Arch Stanton I remember going on them when they first opened and there was a queue! But yeah, they're tucked away at the side and since then I've never had to wait. Only used them a few times though.

[@kauanregis4823]

Wish we had these here in the US airports so cool!thanks for the amazing video Paul

[@gigilouiseanderson]

I was begging my mum if we could go on it last time we went to Heathrow but she said "no dear it's for the workers" I've now shown her this video and she was like "oh, um, ok then" 😂😂😂

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Erin Keegan. HA! Well, it's free too... Go for a ride next time maybe?

[@avairal5936]

that bitch clearly lied to you

[@Planestrainscomputer]

If there is anything that needs to be changed at heathrow, these need to be expanded.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Planestrainscomputer Indeed. They're awesome!

[@georgemcelhinney5463]

+Paul's Trip Reports I live in the UK and I think these things are awesome but I intend to improve them and other things at Heathrow I'm going to be a scientist when I get my God damn degree

[@the.abhiram.r]

im pretty sure there's a lot more that needs to be changed, but this system is a start

[@dbn52]

Free?? Here in Chicago it would be $25 at least. Great as usual

[@Paul_Lucas]

+dbn52 Free, but the car park it goes to is expensive to park in!

[@dbn52]

Since I have never been to London you must tell me is it more expensive to park in London or O'Hare? If you visit us again in the winter we need you to go watch a hockey game. The Blackhawks are the best team and show in town.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+dbn52 I don't know about parking costs as I don't drive in America when I visit. But I'd reckon the UK is much more expensive.

[@YelpBullhorn]

Pod parking costs about £100 for a week, that includes the two rides in the pod.

[@GoldBallTV]

Very cool showcase of the technology! It’s the kind of thing that would make me want to get to the airport 30 minutes earlier just to ride from one end to the other.

[@projiuk]

I love the pods! These days I only park in the pod parking or in the short stay when I fly. Great video btw

[@Roger_Stenning]

Awwww, I wanted you to ask it to "Open the pod bay doors, Sal" ;)

[@haggischaser1028]

Great video paul. I never knew this was available at Heathrow. You should include this as part of your next flight report. Keep up the great videos and safe travels.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+haggischaser1028 Thanks! I rarely get to use to pods to be honest!

[@Alex-om1be]

Been on these 4 times in last year flying out of Heathrow and they never get boring. Such a great way to get into T5

[@Mg-mf6vv]

How cool are these pods forget the flight im gonna pod crawl to all the terminals😂😜

[@missVmilne]

So cool - felt like I was there - almost. Thanks for sharing. Please keep posting. Safe travels ; )

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Mclean Milne Thank you!

[@operamaven1662]

Just amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@RWL2012]

i had no idea these existed! i live more than 200 miles away but still, it's only been nearly a decade LOL

[@maureenurquhart7046]

Used this system this Sept and it was brilliant. A novel experience which I shall repeat next year.

[@srt1477]

Ahh I saw them zipping around last time I was at Heathrow!! Now I know why!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+SierraRomeoTango They're free to ride on!

[@koohlwranchdoughreetoes3356]

How many couples do you reckon have had a quick go in one of these?

[@thethirdman225]

He, he...I had the same thought.

[@guesswho7664]

tenuousphenomena has a illegal Imigrant

[@JP-xd9ri]

They have cameras..,🤣

[@reggierodriguez6546]

Koohlwranch Doughreetoes sex is very important

[@patford8488]

You’ve heard of the Mile High Club? How about the Pod Squad! ❤️

[@pranaowalekar]

did anyone notice they are riding on right?

[@8-bitworldwonder787]

it's a revolution!

[@rachelquarrell71]

pranao walekar yes I did

[@samanli-tw3id]

pranao walekar It's isolated from roads.

[@ericjamieson]

AFAIK it's because the company wants to market the system in America and on the continent, and they view this as something of a demonstration system, and didn't want it to look too specifically "British."

[@user-xk8rb7nn8p]

facepalm

[@happyhermit2022]

That was exciting...I maintained the climate control in those pods until 2013 🤗 Yes the lights have meaning, the programmed pod is guided by them, different colour = different pod. The pods are laser guided between the elevated lining of the track. The lasers are situated low down on the body of the pod.

[@TheARGblue]

These pods are awesome! I wish there was something like this in Dallas (DFW) but we have so many (5) terminals at our international airport.

[@maddyharding]

Love these, wish they were at all airports

[@callum97sydenham]

Hi Paul. Only just seen this video and I wasn’t aware of these when I was travelling to the US from T5 last summer. They’re awesome! Do you think eventually they’ll extend to all terminals?

[@jrayproductions7790]

The future, ladies and gents

[@sausageroll9633]

amazing makes me want to depart from there even more now(we usually depart from Gatwick)anyway nice video

[@joannegray5138]

Who needs Alton Towers? Cool ride :)

[@grahamboaviation]

Haha! That's awesome? I remember reading about it a few years back. I was wondering about the development!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+grahamboaviation They've been open ages. But they are super cool!

[@87tweetygurl]

I feel like I'm on a enclosed rollercoaster

[@Whenitraveltheworld]

I do love these little Pods, I wish they went all over Heathrow in fact. I don't get to ride them very often as I don't use T5 that much.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+When I Travel The World I don't always use T5 either. And I rarely stay at the Thistle. So I figured I had to record this one.

[@nateleech3887]

When I Travel The World me too!

[@robloxtransportationfansyt6075]

I have used T5 to go Edinburgh but that is it way before the pods were there.

[@CoolMachinimaGuy]

Thats fricken cool!

[@averyrizzolo9082]

Newark airport needs those pods to all terminals, all parking/rental car/hotel shuttle facilities, and the NJ Transit/Amtrak station.

[@gazkut1551]

you don't have to wait long time for transportation and traffic is not dense on track. it is a wonderful solution.

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video.☺️

[@noxious_nights]

It would be so cool to ride one of these to school

[@ZenArcher9091]

Looks like Woody Allen's "Sleeper."

[@akoska]

I have 2 ask something: I flew 2 Malpensa in may, and the question is: i had 2 go from tghe plane to da terminalbuilding by bus, which had no seats. The "trip" was only 5 minutes. N what is that in this video? Is it a taxi o what? And do these peoplemovers carry people only between terminalbuildings please? N what kind of any choices are in Malpensa? What, and where is the malpensa expres?

[@stevew3879]

Traveler arrives at London Heathrow airport from Los Angeles International Airport. “After an 11 hour flight and going through customs, I’m back at Disneyland?” Just kidding, I’m in Los Angeles, those look really good. But they do somewhat look like the people mover that Disneyland used to have! Seems like a similar operating principle.

[@balijepallikish4252]

Truly mesnerising

[@francisflood8921]

Fantastic!!

[@clairicci]

When you asked about the lights, I firstly thought about Stranger Things 😄 I know, it's weird

[@arlondon2434]

pretty awesome, hope it is successful

[@rockyt704]

I hope it is successful too

[@goodi2shooz]

Wow! Wish we had those here in America

[@drdewott9154]

You do have them in one place. I'll let you figure that out. It's not at an airport and the system is much older

[@deanl4575]

Goodi2shooz There is one at West Virginia University actually in Morgantown.

[@rachelquarrell71]

Just marvellous

[@AzizSiddiqui]

Reminds me of that Black Mesa ride from Half-life. That voiceover!

[@habedoudefiant3754]

Nice monorail roller coaster. Thanks.

[@lsx7177]

Heathrow pods? more like Tide Pods Lol

[@sophiaandrews5849]

I enjoyed the video thanks

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

We should have these in cities...

[@josephtribe9633]

Great video

[@robgraham5697]

What an enormously cool idea. Here In Toronto we have the standard train. Handy but not nearly as cool as this,

[@mark.lawrence]

the pods are so cool ...

[@LoganKT]

Lights are for when the main lights or out or when it’s a late or really early flight.

[@suginami123]

Fabulous.

[@larryrwendelljr4465]

The light's were put there for a simple people like me to ask wht they are for, HEHEHE LOL :o) I Like the Pods, I could ride those all day long!

[@nickyoung630]

I wish they had these to take you to the airport!

[@FannyLerouxTime]

I tried to take a ride on these while I was in a stop over at the airport, they shut them off at 10pm and they didn't open at all the next day.

[@mrtequilashooter]

This reminds me of the people mover at disneyland.

[@TCORV]

This airport is it's own vacation spot lol

[@madhurgupta5255]

Soon coming to Gurgaon India as well.

[@markbass7145]

Did anyone see the Woody Allen film "Sleeper"?

[@realamazingworld6756]

Very smart

[@Peizxcv]

Seems like they should just build the parking lot vertically and close to the terminal. Then again I've never seen an airport designed like Heathrow

[@triciairvine5653]

i want one.........oh and whats the speed limit

[@geraldmiller]

Very cool. Like to see that in my city here in Wilmington, Delaware

[@1973Washu]

Nifty

[@owenrobinson7436]

Are there wheels

[@ger13nunyah56]

Nice

[@emilypowell1405]

Wonkavator

[@klh1977]

wow didn't know they had these!

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Twinkle Mummy It's a really funky system!

[@richarddavies1087]

When they work, and you don't need a replacement bus

[@MrSquareart]

more more more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mentosinmynose]

The future is already here

[@markfreeman7029]

I did not know they existed

[@johnwang9914]

Why did they bother putting doors on both sides of the cars? If they are consistent with the approaches to and from the stations then they would only need doors on one side. This could've saved them a lot in costs as well as offered a location for fold out luggage racks. And really, fencing to prevent pedestrians crossing the guideway on an elevated track, whose dumb idea was that?

[@Paul_Lucas]

There are doors on both sides because the vehicles can reverse and travel in both directions in an emergency. They are also probably a legal requirement for egressing the car in an emergency. If the car stops or breaks down/catches fire on the elevated section, you need to get out and walk to the nearest station. The fencing is there to stop you falling off the walkway which is some 50-70 feet high. The roadway also need to be maintained by someone.

[@MrUranium238]

bird on left @2:30 just thought I'll point that out

[@MaxsTrainspotting]

They need to extend it to t2, 3,4 and t1 when is done

[@owenrobinson7436]

The pods cars sounded like dlr trains

[@2bitrasputin793]

The answer: when you have a billion pound contract to award, and when your goal is to put a bunch of shuttle - bus drivers out of work, and assure minimum public interaction.

[@maddyharding]

I went to Belonga from Heathrow last year just so I could travel in these. 🤣

[@ajsim6611]

The lights will prob be for decoration

[@symusic7753]

The lights could be sensors

[@puggamer1232]

It looks like they r riding on nothing

[@muzingwenya64]

This pod goes like a train make sounds of a train its a mini train

[@jingbaguioro1991]

Is On Credit Card

[@tombe1412]

Impressive infrastructure. But the ride seems pretty bumpy and uncomfortable.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Tom M It isn't as smooth as a car, for sure. But I wouldn't say uncomfortable. The camera just brings out the shakes.

[@mlfconv]

i want to ride my bicycle

[@owenchuarbx]

With the emergence of self-driving cars. The PRTs are going to be soon obselete. And maybe ideas of the PRT system will be placed into road systems instead of grade seperated systems like this

[@realmcrafttutorial9316]

Healthy Food 🍟🍔🍗🍕🥞🍿🍳🌭🌮🍫. Healthy Drink 🥤🥃🥂🍻🍺🍹🍷🍸☕🥛🍼.

[@lavettelee9999]

Train ripoff

[@bobbisset2314]

They are not free. I was on the last year and it cost £10 for two one way to the Hotel.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Bob Bisset It''s only the Thistle hotel that charges you, and that's not strictly to use the pod, but to access the PIN-locked gate from the car park. The actual pod is free to use, you don't even need to be parked there to use it. I see lots of people joyriding on them :-)

[@matthewpoole7752]

Wingin’ It! Paul Lucas that car park is very expensive through. Aimed at business travelers

[@6yjjk]

​@@Paul_Lucas Last time I was in T5 with time to kill, I thought I'd ride the pod over and have lunch at the Thistle. When I got to that gate, I changed my mind and rode the pod straight back again!

[@Reformamposss]

Haha..chinese Technology

[@betterlife4491]

Too slow .. why not use rails?

[@flywithhuddy]

It's called "Cost Cutting"

[@zefa17]

Better Life within 5 minutes and you said “too slow”? Are you the Flash or superman bro lols

[@1973Washu]

The other option was a bus that took 20 minutes if it was running to schedule, and it was often delayed by traffic. And this is a tech demonstrator for self driving vehicle systems that could use public roads.

[@RB747domme]

Better Life it's only a few hundred yards, where on earth are they going to lay rails for a railway?

[@paraghule9096]

Low population low transportation and big lands totally westej of money .

[@LVTwinturbo]

First

[@tigershortfoot6196]

just... no