Researchers at the University of Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University are leading a groundbreaking initiative to utilize digital twins in the effort to decarbonize the UK’s transport systems. This project, known as the TransiT Hub, has received a significant £46 million investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) along with support from 67 partners.
Digital twins are exact digital replicas of physical environments, using real-time data collected from sensors connected to transportation infrastructure such as roads, railways, and shipping networks. By analyzing real-world data and testing various scenarios, the digital twin can provide optimized solutions back to the physical world in near real-time.
One of the key advantages of using digital twins is the ability to accelerate the testing of new systems, helping to identify the most cost-effective pathways to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. For example, digital road signs could be updated with information on the shortest routes to avoid traffic congestion, reducing carbon emissions and saving time for motorists.
In addition to optimizing existing transport systems, the TransiT project aims to explore innovative solutions such as electric road systems and alternative fuels. By leveraging digital twins, researchers hope to design and optimize future transport systems while minimizing their environmental impact.
The TransiT Hub will collaborate with industry partners to gather data on vehicles, fuel types, routes, and more, ensuring that the digital twins accurately reflect the current transportation landscape. This collaborative effort, supported by partners from the digital, energy, and transport sectors, aims to create a comprehensive model of the UK’s transport system and identify opportunities for more sustainable travel choices.
With an emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and improving transport efficiency, the TransiT Hub is poised to revolutionize the way we approach decarbonization in the transport sector. By harnessing the power of digital twins, researchers hope to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for transportation in the UK.
