How Will Digital Twins Help Decarbonise Transport Systems?

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Digital twins simulate and optimise various decarbonisation strategies
Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow are pioneering the future of sustainable transport with digital twins with the TransiT Hub initiative

One of the most significant challenges facing the world’s fight against climate change is arguably transport systems and the desperate need to decarbonise them worldwide.

In 2022, global CO₂ emissions from the transport sector grew by more than 250Mt CO₂ to nearly 8Gt CO₂, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported — 3% more than in 2021. Localising that focus, studies show that the UK’s transport sector is responsible for nearly a third of the countries’ carbon emissions.

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Innovation is deemed critical and urgently needed to facilitate a dramatic reduction in emissions from road, rail, air and maritime transport. This is why Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow have joined forces to found a groundbreaking research initiative known as the TransiT Hub.

Digital twins can help decarbonise transport

The TransiT Hub, which will use digital twins — digital replicas of the physical world which collect data in real time — is supported by a £46m (US$59m) investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and a further 67 partners. This means that, through these digital replicas, real-time data can be used to simulate, test and optimise various decarbonisation strategies.

British Labour Party politician for Enfield North Feryal Clark, who is Minister for AI and Digital Government, said: “We see a technology future for British people which enriches and improves their lives. The research TransiT will now carry out is a prime example of how we’re supporting cutting-edge innovations to make that vision a reality.

Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government

“On top of saving the public time and money on the journeys they take day-to-day, this project will also harness the power of transformative digital technologies to cut carbon emissions — demonstrating the incredible impact technology can have in improving our public services, tackling climate change and beyond.”

The TransiT Hub and its digital twin technology have the ability to simulate different scenarios in a digital environment, meaning that researchers can quickly identify the most effective strategies for reducing emissions. For instance, digital twins could be used to optimise traffic flow by providing real-time updates on digital road signs, helping motorists avoid congestion and reduce fuel consumption. 

This project will also harness the power of transformative digital technologies to cut carbon emissions

Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government

Similarly, the technology could be applied to test the viability of future transport innovations, such as electric road systems and alternative fuels, ensuring that these technologies are ready for deployment as soon as possible.

Technology in transport decarbonisation will not only necessitate the adoption of cleaner energy sources but also the optimisation of existing infrastructure and the development of new, more efficient technologies.

EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane added: “Digital twins offer an enormous opportunity to decarbonise our transport networks by testing the potential impact of changes more quickly, reducing costs and helping us to design the transport networks we need, when we need them.

Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair of EPSRC

“Passengers and commuters will benefit through being able to choose the most sustainable travel choices, while transport operators will be able to speed up their work to provide low-carbon services.

“TransiT is the result of considerable work between UKRI and government to identify how we can best harness the expertise of a wide range of partners across academia, industry and other organisations to ensure that we seize the opportunities digital twins offer.”

Providing a blueprint for the future of transport

The TransiT Hub is more than just a research project — by exploring how digital twins can be applied across different sectors, the hub will provide valuable insights into the potential for these technologies to drive widespread decarbonisation. All partners involved in the project agree that the research, its subsequent findings and the way it will shape transport are critical for policymakers as it offers a detailed view of the consequences of various decisions across a range of scenarios, helping to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon future is both efficient and equitable.

TransiT Joint Director Professor Phil Greening of Heriot-Watt University said: “With global temperatures rapidly rising, we have run out of time to carry out real world transport trials and learn from them.

Professor Phil Greening, Joint Director of the TransiT Hub

“So, if we are to meet carbon reduction commitments, we have to do our experiments digitally. We need to design the future transport system and optimise the transition to it.

“Digital twins will help us see the where, what and how to decarbonise transport.”

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