Digital Twin drives faster journeys

A North East transport project has successfully slashed road delays through new digital technology.

The Tees Valley Traffic Digital Twin Project has delivered significant improvements across some of the region’s most congested routes, following the UK’s first region-wide automated, real-time traffic management pilot. 

The six-month scheme, backed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), used an AI-driven digital model to monitor and predict traffic conditions and intervene automatically to cut delays.

Developed using data from roadside sensors, in-road detectors and GPS-tracked buses, the system identified congestion and public transport delays before adjusting traffic signals and priorities to keep vehicles moving. 

Early results show overall delays on targeted roads fell by 13.7 per cent, while buses saw their average speeds recover by more than 11mph within 15 minutes of intervention.

Councillor Steve Harker, TVCA cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “We’re making our transport network smarter, faster, and more reliable.

“The Digital Twin shows what our region can do when use the best of technology to improve our network – and make a material difference to everyone on our roads. 

“I’m interested to see how the expansion of the project will cut more delays for bus users across the Tees Valley to make it a more reliable choice for thousands of local people.”

The pilot focused on several high-pressure routes, including the A68 Woodland Road in Darlington, York Road in Hartlepool and the Portrack Interchange. 

It builds on more than £3.5 million previously invested in the Urban Traffic Management and Control system in Middlesbrough, which co-ordinates signs, cameras and signals across the network.

Using fully automated Aimsun technology, the Digital Twin operated without human input to detect issues and deliver responses in real time. 

Dr Gavin Bailey, regional head of business development for the UK and Nordics at Aimsun Ltd, added: “Tees Valley’s commitment to deploying the TVCA Traffic Digital Twin places them at the forefront of operational digital twin technologies in the UK.

“Specifically, at the time of deployment it was the first traffic digital twin in the UK to connect to on-street infrastructure enabling actuation of strategies identified by the data-led and simulation supported insights from the system.

“It is great to see that the breadth of benefits the system is delivering so early on. 

“The collaborative approach to deployment of the system, fostered by TVCA has been key to the successful delivery and operation of the traffic digital twin system. 

“Their ambition continues to support us to push the art of the possible and integrate increasingly innovative solutions within their digital transport system.”

The success of the first phase has paved the way for Phase Two, which will expand the system to new roads, integrate additional data sources and introduce further trials to measure impact and improve regional traffic flow.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “Nobody enjoys sitting in traffic, and this project shows how serious we are about backing motorists, easing congestion, and making everyday journeys quicker and simpler. 

“We lead the way in so much of our country’s pioneering technology – and this is another brilliant UK first we can add to our list. 

“We’ve got plans in place for some big projects to improve road connectivity in the coming years – and while it might go unseen, the work we’re doing to harness the power of AI and technology to make journeys faster and smoother is a big part of our vision.”

To read about the Digital Twin in more detail, a paper on the project can be found here.

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