Gotta Run to Catch Your Flight? Tokyo Airport Has a Racetrack

Yahoo Travel
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Airplanes aren’t the only ones ready for takeoff at this Tokyo airport.(Photo: PARTY and Nikken via Web Urbanitst)

Late for your connection at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport? Stretch, lace up your shoes, and make like Usain Bolt, `cause this airport’s got a racetrack!

In anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Narita’s new Terminal 3 has debuted color-coded racetracks.

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No people movers in THIS terminal. (Photo: PARTY and Nikken via Web Urbanitst)

Forget those moving walkways we see in other airport terminals (seriously, do those save you any time?). This airport’s racetrack is a dream come true for those of us who consider navigating the airport quickly as essential to flying as landing gear.

Related: Airport Review: Traveling Through Tokyo’s Narita International Airport

According to Web Urbanist (h/t Gizmodo), Narita’s racetrack is more than a cool feature or an Olympic-themed novelty. It has a functional purpose, too. Narita airport is expected to see a massive surge in visitors for the Tokyo Olympic Games, but it only has the budget for a limited expansion.

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Catching a plane? Blue’s your color. (Photo: PARTY and Nikken via Web Urbanitst)

So the racetrack is designed to help ease more passengers through the airport by directing them to their destinations without people movers or signs.

The racetrack is based on a simple color-code: Blue leads to departures and Red is meant for arrivals headed for baggage claim and the exit.

There’s also an undeniable psychological component. A racetrack sends the message to all fliers that the airport is no place to stroll or goof off. People literally have places to go, and the racetrack will provide a constant reminder to fliers to keep it movin’. Slowpokes who stop to take airport selfies on this racetrack will likely end up with footprints on their backs.

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You don’t have to know how to say, “Which way to baggage claim?” in Japanese. Just follow the red. (Photo: PARTY and Nikken via Web Urbanitst)

If Nartia’s experiment is successful, who knows what the future holds for airport racetracks? Maybe other airports in non-Olympic cities will install them. Perhaps Nike can make a line of airport racing sneakers.

We’d better start training!

WATCH: IOC approves Tokyo 2020 venue changes


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