RAN digital twin modeling to plan and validate multi-vendor Open RAN deployment in a live public transport environment
VIAVI Solutions has participated in ORBIT (Orchestrated Mobile Network for Blackpool Intelligent Transport), a UK-funded collaborative project aimed at integrating and validating a standalone non-public 5G network across Blackpool’s tramway and bus network. With a total project budget of approximately $4.15 million, the initiative is funded by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Innovate UK.
The project will focus on integrating and assuring multi-vendor Open RAN components to create a trustworthy private 5G network for public transport operations. Its planned applications include live CCTV streaming for incident management, multimedia delivery to onboard passenger screens and dedicated network slicing for operational technology communications.
Under this project, VIAVI will use its Network Digital Twin, powered by the TeraVM AI RAN Scenario Generator (AI RSG), to model Blackpool’s tram and bus routes. The technology will allow network control routines to be developed and tested against realistic traffic scenarios before field deployment. It will be helpful to assess network performance, resilience and energy efficiency while reducing integration costs and technical risks.
VIAVI will collaborate with Blackpool Council, which leads the ORBIT project, the University of York and Hitachi Rail. The partners will deliver live demonstrations across Blackpool’s trams and buses, interoperability and assurance reports, and a replicable reference architecture to support the early market evaluation of assured 5G solutions.
Ian Langley, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Wireless, Security and Applications, VIAVI, said the digital twin approach could also be applied to other critical infrastructure, including utilities, airports, ports and advanced manufacturing facilities. He added that ORBIT would provide a live reference case for using digital twin capabilities to reduce costs and risks associated with network deployments across critical sectors.
