This book offers the first in-depth exploration of digital twin technology applied to China's transportation sector, highlighting how it drives intelligent transportation, smart infrastructure, and the development of a national "transportation powerhouse." It explores the conceptual foundations of digital twins, their integration into transportation systems, and their role in enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and planning. Through case studies such as Guiyang's pilot system, the Sichuan-Tibet Railway's 3D platform, and selected international examples like Rolls-Royce's jet engine upgrades, the book provides evidence-based insights into improving operational efficiency, safety management, resource optimization, and infrastructure modernization. Its chapters address both the current state of deployment in China and emerging trends, including simulation-based decision-making, virtual–physical integration, and multi-dimensional transportation management. Endorsed by leading scholars Professor Xiaolin Xu (Former Dean of the School of Public Administration at Huazhong University of Science and Technology), and Professor Jun Ni (Professor at the University of Michigan and President of the School of Future Science and Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University), the book combines technical analysis with practical relevance. It serves as both a practical reference and a graduate-level textbook, and is suitable for courses in intelligent transportation systems, digital twin applications and smart city Infrastructure.
Professor Guanghui Zhao (born September 1976) is a Professor at Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, China. He is also a Researcher and Senior Visiting Fellow at the School of Engineering, University of Michigan, USA. In addition, he is the Founding Director of the Research Center for Modern Transport Development at the College of Management Cadres, Ministry of Transport, as well as a Researcher at the Research Center for Industrial and Academic Research Issues, Wuhan University.
Prof. Zhao has led numerous major projects, including National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) research projects commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, the China Postdoctoral Foundation Special Fund Project, Special Fund Projects from the China Postdoctoral Foundation, and over 30 China National Academy of Educational Sciences planning projects. He has authored over 100 academic papers in leading core journals and more than 20 treatises.
Prof. Zhao has published 10 monographs on transportation science and technology, including
Big Data Transportation Systems (World Scientific),
Assessment and Policy Research on the Transportation Science and Technology Development in China (World Scientific),
Redefining Traffic: How AI Leads the Change (World Scientific) and 區塊鏈交通：開創未來交通新格局 (English title:
Blockchain in Transportation: Creating a New Landscape for Future Transportation) (Posts & Telecommunications Press).
Associate Professor Yu Yang (born December 1986) is a business executive and academic with a strong expertise in manufacturing enterprise management. He currently serves as a Committee Member of the Industrial Committee at the Institute for Quantitative Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China. Additionally, he is an Industry Mentor for professional degree postgraduates at Beibu Gulf University and a part-time Associate Professor at the university's School of Economics and Management. Beyond his academic roles, Yu Yang is the Co-founder of a leading domestic plant cell synthesis technology company in China and a Founding Partner of an early-stage commercial aerospace enterprise specializing in China's domestic key propulsion systems. His research interests encompass industrial operations management, corporate governance, and supply chain management.
