The paper shows the first proof-of-concept for long-distance digital twin solutions by connecting real-time data feeds from the physical system to a virtual GIS environment that can be utilized in real-time synchromodal transportation.
As the ambition of the European Commission is to shift 30% of freight transported by road to environmentally friendlier modes by 2030, and 50% by 2050, the modal choice criteria of shippers play an important role to achieve such shifts. However, road transport is mostly preferred as shippers perceive intermodal transport as a slow and inflexible solution with a limited-service offer.
Synchromodality makes intermodal transport more dynamic, flexible and acceptable. In fact, synchromodal transportation is another word for modal shift and can be also perceived as real-time optimized intermodal logistics.
With new technologies synchromodal transportation can improve decision processes in (near to) real-time. Digital twins are the latest wave in simulation technology as it uses simulation models to project possible behaviour(s) of the real system. This paper reviews the digital twin concept and its current applications in transportation and logistics.
a mirroring platform