Heathrow Airport: 
Data Collection and Freight Matrix Development

Client: Heathrow Airport

Date: 2017-19
To develop a surface access transport model for Heathrow Airport, establishing a baseline freight origin-destination matrix to assess the impact of expansion and market changes on road freight in the area.

The Question

How can Heathrow Airport better road manage freight movements to plan for future growth while minimising environmental and congestion impacts on local roads?

The Solution

MDS Transmodal completed a research study which involved:
  • Collecting and analysing freight data from Heathrow’s key operators, including surveys, interviews, and existing datasets such as ANPR and Department for Transport traffic data.
  • Developing a freight origin-destination matrix to map freight movements across five key sectors: in-flight catering, airport servicing, retail, waste, and air cargo.
  • Validating data sources by cross-referencing operator-supplied data with additional insights from ANPR and driver interview studies.
  • Applying forecasting models to estimate future freight trends based on projected airport expansion, changes in air cargo demand, and shifts in transport logistics.

Outcome

The freight origin-destination matrix was provided to the client for inclusion in its surface access transport model, allowing the client to assess the impact of Heathrow’s expansion on local road networks, ensuring strategic interventions are based on accurate freight movement data and providing the airport with a decision-making framework that supports sustainable freight management and long-term infrastructure planning.