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Digital Twins: A Critical Discussion on Their Potential for Supporting Policy-Making and Planning in Urban Logistics

Author

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  • Edoardo Marcucci

    (Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College, 6410 Molde, Norway
    Department of Political Sciences, University of Roma Tre, 00145 Rome, Italy)

  • Valerio Gatta

    (Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College, 6410 Molde, Norway
    Department of Political Sciences, University of Roma Tre, 00145 Rome, Italy)

  • Michela Le Pira

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Lisa Hansson

    (Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College, 6410 Molde, Norway)

  • Svein Bråthen

    (Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College, 6410 Molde, Norway)

Abstract

Poor logistics efficiency, due to low load factors caused by high demand fragmentation, will have relevant negative consequences for cities in terms of pollution, congestion and overall city liveability. Policy-makers should equip themselves with appropriate tools to perform reliable, comprehensive and timely analyses of urban logistics scenarios, also considering upcoming (i) technological changes, (ii) business model evolutions and (iii) spatial-temporal changes these innovations will produce. This paper discusses the Digital Twin (DT) concept, illustrating the role it might play and clarifying how to properly conceive it with respect to urban freight transport policy-making and planning. The main message is that without a sound theory and knowledge with respect to the relationships linking contextual reality and choice/behaviour, it is not possible to make sense of what happens in the real world. Therefore, the joint use of behavioural and simulation models should characterise a DT within a Living Lab approach so to stimulate effective, well-informed and participated planning processes, but also to forecast both behaviour and reactions to structural changes and policy measures implementations.

Suggested Citation

  • Edoardo Marcucci & Valerio Gatta & Michela Le Pira & Lisa Hansson & Svein Bråthen, 2020. "Digital Twins: A Critical Discussion on Their Potential for Supporting Policy-Making and Planning in Urban Logistics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10623-:d:464823
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nadia Giuffrida & Jenny Fajardo-Calderin & Antonio D. Masegosa & Frank Werner & Margarete Steudter & Francesco Pilla, 2022. "Optimization and Machine Learning Applied to Last-Mile Logistics: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.

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