ISSCC member city: Abu Dhabi launches first urban digital twin project

The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Transport (DMT) recently unveiled the Abu Dhabi Digital Twin project at GITEX 2022 Technology Week.

Through the Abu Dhabi Digital Twin project, the DMT will be able to use 3D augmented reality to facilitate and support the decision-making process, a quantum leap in the development of digital systems and GIS in the emirate.

The project integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as aerial photography, LiDAR scanning and gaming engines to promote the foundations and concepts of smart cities and to launch and integrate augmented reality and metaverse for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in accordance with the highest international standards.

The project is the first of its kind to be launched in Abu Dhabi and aims to showcase a comprehensive and accurate representation of Abu Dhabi, including the external shape of buildings. In addition to supporting the real estate market and highlighting the emirate's landmarks, the project provides detailed information on the interior structure to enable internal navigation of buildings to support emergency response times, as well as support the planning and decision-making process.

Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Operational Affairs at Abu Dhabi Municipality's Department of Transport, said, "The Abu Dhabi Digital Twin project creates a complete visualization of the emirate through the use of 3D modeling to help with data analysis, facilitate decision-making, monitor the emirate's cities, and use virtual reality to highlight those locations that are most prominent for the public. "

The project will introduce a kind of synchronous twin for Abu Dhabi, allowing users such as planners, engineers, experts, public and private sectors to explore the emirate's development in 3D and evaluate large amounts of data.

In addition, the project provides decision makers, experts and specialists with accurate data and metrics for planning and operations in all key sectors, and will also provide spatial analysis tools to help analyze the potential impacts of various urban planning scenarios in order to make appropriate planning decisions within each scenario.

The project's output is integrated with multiple systems to create a complete visualization of building structures and other assets. The project also ensures continuity of updated data, including real estate systems regarding leases, lease indicators, purchase and sale indicators, urban spaces and community facilities, building permits, asset management, addressing and urban planning, commercial permits, service information, community facilities and inspections, etc.