Liverpool City-Region Combined Authority has announced a plan to use a digital twin in its efforts to improve bus services and transport connectivity.
The project will involve a collaboration between the authority, the University of Liverpool’s Department of Geography and Planning, the Digital Innovation Facility and UK based technology provider Podaris in partnership with Pusan National University, Sundosoft Inc, Busan Techno Park and Busan Metropolitan City in South Korea.
It will take place under Liverpool’s memorandum of understanding, agreed last year, with Busan, South Korea’s second city, to promote active co-operation in areas relating to digital innovation and smart cities, net zero and clean energy and health innovation.
Named Big Data Digital Twin of Mass Transit in Liverpool City Region for Smart, Equitable Mobility, the project will be funded as part of Innovate UK’s UK-South Korea collaborative research and development programme.
It will involve data modelling techniques and real time vehicle location data to model the effects of different scenarios – such as route changes and fare reductions – on bus services.
Cutting edge tech
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “Before my re-election, I pledged to use cutting edge digital twin technology to help improve planning and public services across the region. This is our first foray.
“Working alongside our partners in South Korea and the University of Liverpool, this collaborative new project will help us make better, data driven decisions to help provide the world class, London-style transport system our residents deserve.”
Dr Patrick Ballantyne from the University of Liverpool’s Geographic Data Science Lab said: “This is an exciting project which draws on expertise in geographic data science data here at the University of Liverpool alongside urban data expertise from researchers at Pusan National University.
“The project’s innovation lies in applying Big Data and Scenario Modelling technologies in a new area, specifically the recasting and optimisation of public transport networks to more equitable for the residents of Liverpool City Region.”
Smarter transport
Professor Jinuk Hwang, from the Department of Urban Planning and Engineering at Pusan National University, commented: “We are thrilled to be part of this innovative project which marks a significant step towards smarter, more equitable transport systems.
“Our expertise in transportation planning and analysis will be pivotal in developing evidence based strategies to enhance urban mobility in both Busan, Korea, and Liverpool, UK.”
