Aimsun to Develop Traffic Digital Twin for Greater Manchester
Wednesday, June 11th, 2025
Summary:
To pilot the concept of Smart Transport Corridors, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is collaborating with Aimsun to deliver a traffic digital twin. This virtual model will help improve the efficiency and reliability of the transport system.
Digital Traffic Twins for Better Buses
As part of Greater Manchester’s £3 million award through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s 5G Innovation Regions competition, Aimsun is developing two pilot digital twins for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Focused on Hindley and Chorlton-cum-Hardy, the pilots aim to support early detection of congestion and identify delayed buses. These insights will enable TfGM to take timely, data-driven actions to improve bus reliability and optimise traffic flow through Smart Transport Corridors.
Central to this initiative was 5G advanced wireless technology, delivered by industry and telecoms partners, utilising industry expertise, GM’s Local Full Fibre Network, academia, and the cyber security sector.
The Aimsun digital twins use predictive data analytics to assess traffic conditions in real time and forecast the congestion pinch points that cause buses to run behind schedule. The digital twins will then assess potential response strategies to determine the most effective traffic management actions, helping buses navigate pinch points smoothly and preventing delays before they occur.
This innovative approach will involve analysing historical traffic data, developing traffic signal interventions, and integrating these interventions into the Aimsun digital twin.
“A traffic digital twin offers an effective alternative to physical traffic management measures and can be operational at scale much faster. By helping manage traffic including buses at congestion pinch points, delays will be reduced, improving network efficiency and bus performance, enhancing the overall customer experience. We will closely monitor and evaluate the impact of this pilot in conjunction with the other improvements we are making across the Smart Transport Corridors,” said Peter Boulton, Network Director Highways at TfGM.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Aimsun has already made significant strides in supporting TfGM’s vision for a more integrated and efficient transport system. Aimsun is also building a comprehensive transport model covering the 100-square-mile area within the M60 ring road. This large-scale, multi-tier model serves as a strategic planning and operational management tool, enabling TfGM to assess various schemes in support of the Bee Network – Greater Manchester’s vision for a more integrated, accessible, and affordable public transport and active travel system.
Managing Director, UK
“We are thrilled to collaborate with TfGM on this groundbreaking project,” said James Daniels, Managing Director of Aimsun UK. “Our goal is to enhance the efficiency and reliability of public transport in Greater Manchester, ultimately improving travel across Greater Manchester for thousands of residents.”
Greater Manchester’s Smart Decarbonisation Drive
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has secured £3 million in central government funding through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s 5G Innovation Regions competition. This initiative is designed to foster 5G-enabled innovation across the city-region, with a focus on accelerating decarbonisation and enhancing quality of life.
The funding will support the Greater Manchester 5G SMART Decarbonisation Network project, which brings together partners from across the region to address the root causes of climate change. The project aims to drive decarbonisation, improve residents’ quality of life, and stimulate growth in the Green Technologies and Services sector.
A key component of the project is its transport theme, which will develop a Digital Roads network. This network is intended to reduce congestion and carbon emissions by optimising traffic flow—particularly for public transport—making journeys quicker and more efficient.
