Demystifying Digital Twin
Demystifying Digital Twin
About UDIA
The Urban Development Industry of Australia, Victoria (UDIA) is a not-for-profit research, advocacy and educational organisation supported by a membership of land use and property development entities, across the private sector and Victoria’s public service.
UDIA is committed to working closely with industry, local, state and commonwealth government, key housing sector stakeholders, and the community to improve access to diverse, high-quality and affordable housing in Victoria.
UDIA is a signatory to the State Government’s Affordability Partnership, which focuses on meeting the objectives of Victoria’s Housing Statement: building 800,000 new homes by 2034 – 80,000 homes per year over the next decade.
The buzzword: ‘Digital Twin’
In the rapidly evolving field of urban development, the term ‘Digital Twin’ has become a buzzword that can refer to anything from a simple 3D model to complex, data-driven representations of entire urban environments. But what exactly is a Digital Twin and how is it changing the way we plan, design and manage cities?
A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system or process that is continuously updated with real-time data. It enables urban planners, engineers, developers, and other professionals to simulate scenarios, optimise systems and improve decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a development. With the integration of new monitoring technologies, machine learning and AI, Digital Twins are transforming the way cities are developed, managed and experienced by their residents.
UDIA recognises Digital Twin as a transformative technology that can be harnessed to significantly enhance efficiency across the urban development sector and support data-led decision making.
By replacing the time-consuming tasks involved in the planning, designing and operation of urban spaces with geospatial data programs, Digital Twin streamlines the collaborative processes of government, industry and the property community.
Embracing this technology will allow industry to focus on what truly matters – securing the economic prosperity and sustainable future of development in Victoria.
Understanding the Levels of Digital Twins
While the basic definition of a Digital Twin applies to many contexts, there are varying levels of sophistication depending on the application. In urban development, the level of accuracy required can vary significantly. For example, a Digital Twin of a tunnel or a critical infrastructure component must be far more precise and reliable than a Digital Twin of a land development or a visualisation model intended for planning purposes.
• Live Digital Twins: These represent real-time events and continuously update with new data, making them highly accurate and dynamic. A good example of a live Digital Twin is seen in smart cities, where systems like waste management or transportation networks are monitored in real time.
• Data Capture Digital Twins: These models age over time as they are updated with periodic data. While still useful, they are less dynamic than live Digital Twins and may become outdated if they are not regularly updated.
Key Benefits of Digital Twins in Urban Development
Enhanced Decision Making
By integrating real-time data, Digital Twins allow for better decision-making in the planning, design and operation of urban spaces. These tools give stakeholders the ability to simulate potential outcomes, whether it’s optimising traffic flow or assessing the environmental impact of new developments.
Cost Efficiency and Resource Optimisation
Through predictive maintenance, scenario modelling and more accurate forecasting, Digital Twins help reduce costs and optimise resources. For example, infrastructure projects in Melbourne, such as the Metro Tunnel, have benefited from Digital Twins that display air quality, noise and vibration data in realtime, helping to manage construction impacts and minimise disruptions.
Sustainability
Digital Twins also help cities become more sustainable by enabling better management of resources such as water, energy and waste. Real-time data allows for the detection of inefficiencies and the implementation of more sustainable practices across urban developments.
Risk Management and Resilience
Whether it’s simulating the effects of natural disasters on infrastructure or predicting system failures, Digital Twins can help cities prepare for and manage risks. For instance, Neara in NSW uses LiDAR data to create a Digital Twin of power networks, simulating the impact of hazards like flooding or wildfires on critical infrastructure.
Digital Twins for State and Local Planning
In addition to city-specific implementations, state and national governments are increasingly adopting Digital Twins for large-scale urban planning and infrastructure development. For example, the Victorian Government has invested heavily in creating Digital Twin Victoria (DTV), which integrates over 4,000 datasets from across the state. This open-source platform allows users to view 3D models of buildings and utilities beneath Melbourne, making urban development projects more efficient and accessible to the public.
https://www.land.vic.gov.au/maps-and-spatial/digital-twin-victoria
Similarly, NSW Spatial Digital Twin is leveraging LiDAR and other geospatial data to create a virtual model of the state’s infrastructure, supporting urban planning, emergency management and environmental monitoring.
https://nsw.digitaltwin.terria.io/
Overcoming Misconceptions
Despite the excitement surrounding Digital Twins, there are a few common misconceptions:
“It’s just for large -scale projects ” – While Digital Twins have been prominently used in large-scale projects like DTV’s or Glen Eira City Council’s Digital Twin, they are also applicable to smaller developments. Even local-scale projects, such as individual buildings or precincts, can benefit from this technology.
“They are too expensive and complex.” – Initially, implementing Digital Twin technology may seem costly, but as the technology advances and becomes more accessible, the costs are decreasing. Additionally, simpler models can be created with less data, making the technology feasible for a wider range of projects.
“They are only for visualisation ” – A Digital Twin is far more than just a 3D model. While 3D visualisation is an important aspect, the true power of a Digital Twin lies in its ability to simulate and analyse real-time data, making it a dynamic tool for urban development.
The Future of Digital Twins in Urban Development
The future of Digital Twins in urban development is incredibly promising. As the technology continues to advance, the integration of real-time data from various sensors and AI will enable even more sophisticated simulations and predictive analytics. This will allow for smarter cities that are more sustainable, resilient and adaptable to the needs of their residents.
For members of UDIA, embracing Digital Twin technology is not just about staying ahead of the curve, it’s about improving the way we plan, build and manage the cities of tomorrow. By leveraging these tools, developers, planners and local governments can create more efficient, sustainable and liveable urban environments, ensuring that future generations benefit from the innovations of today.
To find out more, explore the Victorian Government’s Digital Twin program.
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by the UDIA as a general reference guide only. It is intended to provide broad information in relation to Digital Twin technology as it pertains to the urban development sector.
UDIA does not warrant or represent that the information contained within this document is complete, current or free from error. This content relates to a State Government initiative over which UDIA has no control, and which may be subject to change at any time without notice. UDIA does not accept any liability or responsibility for the content, or for the consequences of any reliance placed upon it.
The inclusion of references to government programs, platforms or policies – including but not limited to Digital Twin Victoria – does not constitute endorsement or approval by UDIA. Users of this publication are strongly advised to make their own independent enquiries and seek professional advice before relying on the information herein for any purpose.