PORTLAND AIRPORT, Oregon, a US gateway from Germany but not the UK, slightly nearer Seattle than San Francisco on the northwest coast of the US, has become the first airport to offer an animated visual information programme that can be run on your screen back at home before setting out on the journey. It has been developed by Airports Council International (ACI) in conjunction with Airport Travel Video Technologies of Santa Barbara. Called Airport Wayfinder in concept, and in practice it is not unlike the programmes offered by airlines as you descend to an airport (and often produced by the Californian company). Watching Airport Wayfinder, travellers virtually ”walk” through PDX facilities, which are viewed in an animated and realistic way, using advanced visualization software and ”wayfinding” techniques. The PDX Airport Wayfinder provides travellers with a virtual tour of the airport and outlines domestic and foreign passenger services and security procedures. Other airports are likely to follow but it remains to be seen how many passengers actually check on their destination before leaving home. As was pointed out by a cabin steward it is difficult enough trying to get passengers attention within the confines of an aircraft.
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http://www.portlandairportpdx.com