Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second busiest airport has added an extra 36 PRM vehicles to its fleet to help passengers with reduced mobility and achieve the airport’s goal of being the most accessible airport.
The additional vehicles come after London Gatwick invested £2 million in its North Terminal airline lounge for passengers who require special assistance.
The vehicles have been designed specifically for airports, taking into consideration passengers safety and comfort and the airport architecture.
PRM Passengers have the right to have the same level of access as other passengers, and the AV6 helps achieve this. The vehicle can transport six people, five passengers and a driver, including space for luggage.
The compact size of the PRM vehicle, allows the vehicle to negotiate tight spaces and fits into lifts allowing passengers to far greater access to the airport without leaving the vehicle.
The dimensions also mean the AV6 is easy to manoeuvre, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries and damage. The AV6 drives and steers like a standard automotive vehicle making it easy to operate. Passengers benefit from a safe and comfortable ride, with the levels of safety and comfort previously unavailable from other PRM vehicles.
The AV6 has a host of safety features, soft-coated door extrusions and full-height side panels to keep passengers enclosed, considerably reducing any chance of injuries. The door handles are discreetly positioned to avoid passengers opening them, and each door is equipped with sensors, automatically halting the vehicle if a door opens during operation.
The AV6 is easily accessible thanks to its low step height and unique double-hinged 180o opening side doors. The full opening rear door with grab handles provide excellent access for all passengers, and wheelchair users can stow their wheelchair using an optional bracket fitted to the rear of the vehicle
The AV6 was also designed to take into meet terminal flooring specifications, with low loading contact points it ensures flooring and tiles wouldn’t succumb to damage.
Whist developed for airports the AV6 also suits many other applications which require the safe transportation of passengers and used at many UK rail terminals.