Information requirements over the asset lifecycle to include carbon into digital twin: A UK highway example

Abstract

Digital twin (DT) has the potential to facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions over asset lifecycle, which is a critical target that should be instructed by real-time data. However, the trustworthy carbon data to feed into DT to support environmental impact assessment, identification of hotspots, and carbon reduction progress monitoring is largely missing in literature and practice due to the lack of a clear asset carbon information requirements (ACIR). This paper sets out to develop the ACIR for the collection of fine-granular carbon data for highway DT by reviewing relevant standards, industry guidelines, and tools and engagement with industry experts through a design-thinking workshop. A total of 74 ACIR are added to the ISO 19650 asset information requirements, among which 38 are sustainability or carbon directed and 12 are in the technical aspects. These ACIR provide a foundation for developing a carbon DT for highway assets that can facilitate real-time sustainability-orientated decision making. Future research directions to facilitate the completeness and the implementation of the ACIR are recommended.