Travelers at the DFW International Airport could be more comfortable during future travel, as the airport plans to install more specialized glass that control the amount of heat and glare entering through tarmac-facing windows in terminals.

The airport has approved a US$25.5 million contract with California-based technology company View Inc. to install 500,000 square feet of the glass, which the company describes as intelligent. View has already deployed its specialized glass near Gate A28 and the nearby Twisted Root restaurant.

The dynamic glass technology uses an electrical current to control the amount of light let in and can decrease temperatures by as much as 20 degrees -- 15 degrees on the floor -- compared to regular windows. Installing the glass will help the airport lower energy costs and improve customer experience, airport spokesman David Magana said.

The airport is currently determining the best locations for the glass, Magana said. The plan is to install glass around concession areas and public-facing areas in the next two years and then use the glass for scheduled replacements and construction two to four years from now.

View has installed or is working on installing the technology at airports including San Francisco, Boston, Charlotte, N.C. and Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth. View said in April it had completed 400 installations across the country, with another 200 in progress at that time.

Installation of the glass will also help DFW airport lower its energy bill, as View estimates it can cut energy costs by up to 20 percent when it is widely used in a building. DFW spends approximately US$18 million on energy each year.

After installation of the glass near the Twisted Root restaurant, the restaurant experienced a 102 percent increase in revenue over a six month period, according to a study View released.

The airport could also receive up to 75 percent of the costs for the installation from the federal government as part of the Federal Aviation Administration's energy efficiency grant program, Magana said.

The contract lasts for three years, with the option to renew for three additional one year periods.