Developing Digital Twin Technology to improve Traffic Operations

Focus Area: Transportation Systems Management & Operations
Submitting On Behalf Of: TRB Committee on Freeway Operations
Urgency: Important - Medium Priority
Cost: $250,000 - 499,000
Timeframe: 1 - 2 years
Type of Research: Full Research Project

Date Posted: Jul 14, 2024
Status: Not Funded

Research Description

Real-time traffic operations is a closed loop control system that focuses on collecting and processing information on vehicle flows and roadway conditions and applying TSMO control strategies to mitigate congestion and improve safety. The challenge for operations is the inability to understand the impact of control strategies until they are deployed.

The emerging increase in high-resolution real-time vehicle data has the potential to support improved modeling of traffic and roadway conditions. This research effort focuses on investigating the use of digital twins with real-time simulation to provide more accurate representation of current traffic conditions and determine if it is possible to enhance our understanding of response strategies.

Additional Supporting Information

What do we hope to learn: • What types of data are needed to support real time modeling • How can real-time traffic simulation be the engine in a digital twin to accurately represent traffic flow and roadway conditions. • Define what makes a digital twin a digital twin • Identify current applications/Use Cases for the digital twin

Benefits: • Development of next-generation models to support traffic operations • Wider understanding of digital twins and their capabilities within traffic operations • Guidelines for preparedness for digital twin application

Submitted By: Jim Katsafanas; Michael Baker International; 412-269-4635

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