Federal Autonomous Institution «Russian Road Scientific-Research Institute» (FAI ROSDORNII) signed a state contract with Russia Ministry of Transport. According to the contract ROSDORNII is bound to create a digital twin of the M-11 «Neva» speedway on two pilot sections in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow region, Tver region, Novgorod region and Leningrad region with a total length of 610 km in 2023.
Based on a high-precision digital map this digital twin of the highway can ensure safe movement of highly automated vehicles (HAV).
Creation of the digital twin of M-11 is required to conduct experiments and test road infrastructure’s ability to provide high-quality data and road services based on V2X* communication technologies on time to ensure the safe movement of HAV.
The pilot zone will help test services improving traffic management safety and efficiency. It will see tests of HAV traffic and precise positioning services. To conduct tests the digital twin will be built on the basis of the V2X service platform, a digital map, a control center, a specialized mobile application and on-board equipment installed in the test vehicles.
The results of the development work will determine the goal architecture and the model of service interaction based on V2X technology, the requirements for the road transport infrastructure needed to ensure the safe movement of HAV. The data will be used to further decide on the need for additional standard and technical regulation for their use on public roads. The digital twin will provide replication of technical and technological solutions for the effective creation of road transport infrastructure of unmanned logistics corridors for about 20 thousand km of roads until 2030.
This will have a positive impact on the development of Russia’s transit potential.
The manufacturers of HAV, major carriers and the state infrastructure operator company Avtodor are planning to participate in the experiment.
Reference information
Last October, the government approved launch of a new experimental digital innovation legal regime for HAV operation - the «Unmanned Logistics Corridors» project on the M-11 «Neva» speedway which involves commercial operation of unmanned trucks. Testing will take place both with a test driver and with remote traffic control involving the test engineer and dispatcher.
*V2X (stands for Vehicle-to-Everything) is a technology that allows a vehicle to communicate with other vehicles and the surrounding road infrastructure. Drivers receive traffic warnings and messages on the screen of the connected vehicle to slow down, stop or change lanes, and unmanned vehicles will be able to receive commands and make autonomous response decisions.