Volume 51

Leveraging a Digital Twin Interface for Multimodal Transportation Resilience, Connectivity, and Equity – A Case Study of Toyosu, Tokyo Adair Garrett, Katherine Ginensky, Xi Wang, Hina Ahmed, Jingyuan Shen, Takahiro Yoshida, Akito Murayama, Perry Pei-Ju Yang

Abstract

Toyosu, a waterfront urban development on the reclaimed land of Tokyo Bay, faces issues such as a lack of walkability and high heat vulnerability. The main objective of this research is to leverage Digital Twins technology to enhance multimodal transportation system resilience, equity, and connectivity, utilizing the problem of heat on Toyosu of Tokyo as a case study. The research questions include: 1) What are the key variables (e.g., urban design, infrastructure, human) for designing a resilience hub? 2) Considering these key variables, how do we leverage emerging tools (e.g., Digital Twins systems) to inform planning and decision-making to reduce pedestrian vulnerability to heat? This study proposes a proof-of-concept Digital Twin Interface (DTI) utilizing geographic information system (GIS), agent-based modeling (ABM), and digital urban design modeling tools (Rhino/Grasshopper). Two scenarios were constructed to simulate the thermal comfort of Toyosu in 2023 and in 2030, demonstrating the potential for urban form to impact pedestrian comfort. The output of these simulations is integrated within the DTI to inform pedestrian decision making during high heat events. This study informs the design of resilience hubs broadly and is applied to the case of heat stress in Toyosu as a proof-of-concept. The variables impacting walkability, multimodal connectivity, and transportation resilience are further examined. This research extends and applies previous research efforts leveraging Digital Twin technology in transportation planning and decision making. This can aid transportation planners, engineers, and researchers who desire to enhance multimodal transportation system resilience with a focus on pedestrian comfort and safety.

Keywords multimodal transportation, resilience, digital twin, urban heat, walkability, Tokyo