Digital twin transforms mobility planning in Bissen

An industrial zone in the heart of Luxembourg has become the testing ground for one of Europe’s most advanced mobility planning systems. The BISTWIN project, led by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in partnership with the City of Bissen, has ended— leaving behind a digital twin that could reshape how local authorities and businesses plan for the future of transport.

The project’s final event, held on 7 October 2025, brought together David Viaggi, Mayor of Bissen, Jean Schiltz, Director Automotive and Smart Mobility at the Ministry of the economy, and LIST researchers, who presented the results of three years of work on a Mobility Planning Digital Twin — a high-performance virtual replica of the area’s transport network.

“We wanted to give planners and mobility managers a tool that lets them see and test the future before it happens,” said Dr. Ion Turcanu, Head of the Networking and Communications group at LIST and coordinator of BISTWIN. “With this digital twin, decisions about infrastructure or public transport can now be based on evidence, not assumptions.”

A virtual replica of real mobility

Built using the CityMoS simulation engine, the BISTWIN digital twin recreates in minute detail the daily movements of commuters, buses, and vehicles in the “Um Rouscht” industrial zone. The model draws on real traffic data, road networks, public transport timetables, and mobility surveys collected over the past two years.

The result is a realistic, data-driven environment where planners can test “what-if” scenarios — from adding a new office complex or roundabout to introducing electric shuttle services — and immediately see how each decision affects congestion, travel times, and emissions.

Testing tomorrow’s transport solutions

To demonstrate the system’s potential, the BISTWIN team ran two practical case studies.

The first focused on infrastructure planning, testing how new office space developments and intersection designs along the N7 road might affect traffic flow. The simulations revealed clear thresholds for congestion and offered concrete guidance on how to balance vehicle access with sustainable mobility goals.

The second explored electromobility services, developed in collaboration with Emile Weber, one of Luxembourg’s leading transport operators. Using the digital twin, the team simulated an electric shuttle line connecting the Mersch train station with Bissen’s industrial areas — complete with battery models, charging schedules and actual traffic situations.

The results showed how small adjustments in driving speed, charging strategy, or fleet size could improve reliability and cut energy use, offering valuable insights for operators planning the fleet size.

Beyond the city: a model for industrial mobility

While digital twins are often associated with major metropolitan projects, BISTWIN’s focus on a regional industrial zone marks a significant shift. The “Um Rouscht” area hosts more than 60 companies and around 2,500 workers — a setting where mobility bottlenecks can have real economic consequences.

By extending digital twin technology beyond big cities, LIST and its partners hope to empower smaller municipalities and business clusters to plan smarter transport systems, reduce congestion, and prepare for electric mobility.

An open-source future

In keeping with Luxembourg’s commitment to open innovation, the BISTWIN team has made its mobility models publicly available in an open-source platform, ensuring that researchers, local planners, and startups can reuse and expand upon the project’s work.

Supported by the Ministry of the Economy, the initiative aligns with national goals for economic transformation, sustainability, and digitalisation. LIST researchers say the next step is to integrate energy, environmental, and social dimensions into the twin — creating a holistic platform for future regional development.

Dr. Turcanu concluded: “BISTWIN is the beginning of a new approach to mobility planning — one where data, simulation, and collaboration come together to make smarter, greener choices.”

About the project

BISTWIN – “Mobility Digital Twin of Bissen’s Industrial Zone” – was led by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) with support from the Ministry of the Economy and contributions from intobyte, Schroeder & Associates, the Municipality of Bissen, and Emile Weber.