A CesiumJS Web App

Live Melbourne Metro Trains- Digital Twin

Live Melbourne Metro Trains - Digital Twin is a full-stack, real-time geographic visualization project that transforms raw public transport feed from Transport Victoria Open Data Portal into an interactive 3D map experience. The infrastructure features an Express.js middleware server responsible for fetching and enriching real-time train locations from the GTFS Real-time API with static GTFS schedule data. This processed data is then delivered to a CesiumJS frontend, where the trains are rendered as dynamic models on a 3D/2D map. This architecture ensures low-latency updates every 20 seconds, creating a functional digital twin that accurately reflects Melbourne's metropolitan rail network.

Melbourne Metro train digital twin by Nadia Sharif

Leveraging the Digital Twin: Enhancing Operations and Urban Planning

The Live Melbourne Metro Trains application is a fully realized digital twin that transforms raw public transport data into an interactive, 3D geographic visualization. It utilizes a full-stack infrastructure to provide both low-latency operational metrics and a high-fidelity environment for strategic planning.

I. Real-Time Operational Monitoring

The application can serve as a critical tool for service awareness and commuter information:

  • Low-Latency Status: Data is updated every 20 seconds, ensuring trains are tracked in real-time on a 2D/3D base map. The side panel instantly displays the total trains in transit and the net service change (added/removed trains), providing immediate network health metrics.

  • Granular Trip Tracking: Trains are listed by line, with recently commenced trips highlighted for immediate attention. Users can click any train to populate a secondary panel with rich diagnostic details, including inbound/outbound status, stop sequence, and expected arrival times, offering superior trip predictability.

  • Integrated Alerts: The option to display live Transport Victoria service alerts directly on the map and panel unifies situational awareness, preventing the need to cross-reference multiple data sources.

II. Strategic Planning and 3D Context

The platform's capability to integrate Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles elevates its use for urban planning:

  • Urban Impact Visualization: By placing live, dynamic train models within a geometrically accurate 3D urban model, planners can visualize and assess the precise spatial and visual impact of proposed infrastructure changes (e.g., elevated rail or new stations) against the real-world environment.

  • Contextual Analysis: The app allows planners to analyze service patterns, train sequencing, and infrastructure alignment against high-density areas and major city landmarks.