UCF IST research powers smarter, safer cities through digital twins

Story by UCF Today

August 10, 2026

Researchers at the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation & Training (UCF IST) are shaping the future of urban planning through digital twin technology, an emerging tool that allows cities to test solutions virtually before implementing them in the real world.

A digital twin is a live, data-driven virtual model of a physical environment. By collecting information from connected sensors that monitor traffic, weather, infrastructure and other city systems, digital twins enable planners to simulate future scenarios, evaluate potential problems and test solutions without disrupting daily operations.

According to UCF IST, the technology is already being used in practical applications across Florida. A research team led by Pegasus Professor Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Ph.D., developed a crash-prediction system that operates within the Florida Department of Transportation’s Traffic Management Center, using real-time traffic data to identify locations where crashes are likely to occur before they happen. The technology has been adopted as a model in countries including Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

UCF IST researchers are exploring how digital twins can improve flood planning, climate resilience and the future of urban transportation. Soheil Sabri, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the Urban Digital Twin Lab, uses 3D urban modeling to help cities evaluate flood risks and long-term development decisions.

Saumya Gupta, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in UCF’s Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, is leading a NASA-funded project to better understand how buildings influence radio signals, helping enable the safe navigation of future drones and air taxis through dense urban areas.

Digital twins are becoming an important component of smart city initiatives because they allow governments to make more informed, data-driven decisions before investing in costly infrastructure projects, according to UCF IST.

As communities continue to grow, the technology could help improve traffic flow, strengthen emergency planning, reduce flood risks and support the next generation of transportation systems.

The university has expanded educational opportunities in the field, offering graduate programs focused on digital twins, modeling and simulation, and smart city technologies to prepare the next generation of researchers and industry professionals.