Digital replicas of real world could help decarbonise transport, scientists say

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Digital replicas of the real world that can analyse scenarios in near-real time could help make journeys greener, scientists have said. Digital twins offer an enormous opportunity to decarbonise our transport networks by testing the potential impact of changes more quickly Professor Charlotte Deane This data is analysed to model and test different scenarios and the twin sends its solution back to the real world in near-real time. Professor Charlotte Deane, executive chairwoman of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said: “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. “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.” Digital twins will help us see the where, what and how to decarbonise transport Professor Phil Greening Professor Phil Greening, TransiT joint director, said using digital twins to speed up the way new systems are tested is necessary because “time is running out” for real-world trials.