Physical-Informational Representation of the Future Road System
The mobility of people and goods is a central basis of our modern society with increasingly global and diverse networked processes. In its present form, mobility, especially with regard to road traffic, is currently confronted with global challenges (durability, safety, efficiency, ecology, costs, automation etc.) that urgently require fundamental solutions.
In the SFB/TRR 339 (TU Dresden, RWTH Aachen, speaker: Prof. Michael Kaliske, Insitute for Structural Analysis, TU Dresden), a spatially and temporally multi-dimensional, digital/virtual image (reality model in space and time) of vehicle, tires and road surface (concrete and asphalt) taking into account the road pavements (integrated multi-functionality) will be developed and researched. The reality model combines all available and relevant information about the "Road of the Future" from physical investigations and modeling as well as from informational and traffic data (sensor data, data models etc.). It enables and requires the interaction between the physical- structural and the informational-traffic design level. This interactive reality model in space and time is called the digital twin of the road system and is used in perspective to analyze, control and forecast the physical original (real road system consisting of vehicle, tires, lane, nearby street space) by means of common interfaces. The advancement of the road to a high-tech platform will be developed using the new, interdisciplinary research approach (civil engineering, computer science, society).
The research approach is based on a three-stage development strategy:
In Phase I, the required submodels are designed and developed. In Phase II, the partial models are combined using common, standardized interfaces and integrated into a holistic model of the road system (digital shadow), which in Phase III will allow the analysis and control of the road system with its own control components (digital twin).
The aim is to achieve the vehicle's present high level of development in a similar way for the road system, so that a new quality of integration of vehicles and infrastructure can be achieved. The overriding aspects of law and sustainability shall be explicitly included into the conception and development of the digital twin of the road system from the beginning on. The digital twin of the road system will lead to an intelligent, gentle and sustainable use of the road infrastructure. Other expected results are groundbreaking condition forecasts, interfaces to local traffic control, the optimal synthesis of building materials and structures, interfaces to automated driving and the reduction of emissions, e.g. by minimizing traffic jams or durable road infrastructure components (use of resources).
The SFB/TRR 339 builts on research conducted in the predicessor project FOR 2089: Durable Pavements for the Traffic of the Future "Coupled System: Road-Tire-Vehicle". Click here for the list of publications.
