Two prestigious universities, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, have joined forces in a groundbreaking £46m initiative aimed at researching the use of digital twins to decarbonise the UK’s transport systems.
Funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and backed by £26m of investment from 67 partners, the newly established research hub named TransiT Hub is dedicated to exploring how digital twins can be leveraged to comprehend and facilitate the decarbonisation of various transport systems, including road, rail, air, and maritime. In addition to this, the hub will collaborate with passenger groups to incorporate the perspectives of transport users in modeling human travel behavior and choices.
Professor Phil Greening, one of the joint directors of TransiT from Heriot-Watt University, emphasized the importance of conducting digital experiments in order for the UK to fulfill its carbon reduction commitments. He stated, “We need to design the future transport system and optimize the transition to it.”
Professor David Flynn, the other joint director from the University of Glasgow, highlighted the significance of understanding the challenges faced by citizens with mobility issues and integrating new design principles to identify equitable pathways to decarbonisation.
This collaboration between the universities and a wide array of industry partners, including transport operators, regulators, vehicle manufacturers, technology firms, and energy suppliers, is considered to be one of the largest transport consortiums of its kind.
Transport minister Mike Kane lauded the potential of digital twinning technology in integrating transport networks, enhancing efficiency, and delivering greener transport solutions for all.
The digital twins created by TransiT will gather real-time data through sensors installed in road, railway, and shipping infrastructure. This data, provided by industry partners, will encompass details such as vehicle types, fuel varieties, load capacities, and route frequencies.
By analyzing this data, researchers will be able to simulate and refine various scenarios through digital twins, enabling real-time adjustments in the physical world. For instance, updating digital road signs with live information on optimal routes can help motorists reduce carbon emissions.
Furthermore, TransiT aims to explore the functionality of components within a decarbonised transport system, including electric road systems and alternative fuels, using digital twins.
Minister for artificial intelligence and digital government, Feryal Clark, affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge innovations that enhance the lives of British citizens. The research conducted by TransiT exemplifies this dedication to fostering technological advancements.
In addition to revolutionizing the transport sector, TransiT will serve as a blueprint for other industries to implement transformational changes using digital twins. Policymakers will be able to assess the implications of decisions across various scenarios.
EPSRC’s executive chair, Charlotte Deane, emphasized the immense potential of digital twins in decarbonizing transport networks, streamlining the impact assessment process, reducing costs, and facilitating the design of efficient transport networks.
