A Digital Twin model of rail lines through the use of open-source databases

Modelling, defined as the abstraction and partial representation of real-world systems through mathematical formulations, is a fundamental process employed across various engineering domains to support the identification of optimal control and intervention strategies. A current research frontier in this field is the development and deployment of Digital Twin (DT) models, high-fidelity virtual replicas of physical assets or processes. These models are characterised by their dynamic adaptability, meaning they are continuously updated with real-time data to reflect the evolving state of the corresponding physical system synchronously. A core requirement for an effective Digital Twin lies in the accurate construction of its underlying mathematical and computational model, ensuring both structural and behavioural fidelity to the real system. In this study, a methodology for the development of a Digital Twin tailored to the analysis of rail transportation systems is proposed, leveraging exclusively open-source software and publicly available datasets. The approach is validated through its application to a case study involving a single-track rail line located in Southern Italy to demonstrate its feasibility and effectiveness.