A digital twin enables priority for emergency vehicles on the C-32 highway

The i2CAT research centre and Autopistas, an Abertis subsidiary in Spain, validated today on the C-32 highway an innovative technological solution to reduce emergency response times and save lives in the event of an accident. Using a “Digital Twin” and high-precision 5G connectivity, the system enables the infrastructure to automatically detect an approaching ambulance and coordinate traffic in real time to clear a safe path.

The demonstration was attended by the Secretary of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mr Albert Tort Pugibet; the Deputy Director of Decarbonization and Smart Roads of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mr Ferran Camps; the Director of i2CAT, PhD Sergi Figuerola; and the Director of Technology and Innovation at Autopistas, Àngel Codina.

The pilot, part of the DIMOS 5G research project, is a pioneering initiative in the European research landscape. It demonstrates how smart mobility research directly impacts public safety by optimising road management in a predictive and efficient manner. In the event of an accident, the digital twin monitors the highway by integrating data from road sensors and V2X communications (vehicle-to-infrastructure) via 5G and ITS-G5 networks. Data analysis enables the system to select the optimal strategy to clear the way for the emergency vehicle, generating automatic recommendations for safe distances and manoeuvres that are transmitted in real time to road users.

Rapid response in complex environments

One of the major challenges of this demonstration was guaranteeing connectivity in environments with reduced visibility and coverage, such as tunnels. Early incident detection by the digital twin enables activation of a dynamic mitigation protocol that informs drivers through various channels: the vehicle’s On-Board Unit (OBU), information panels, and the Autopistas AWAI mobile app.

The success of this use case lies in the system’s ability to process raw data from cameras and sensors installed on the road with minimal latency. This allows the Management Centre (A-TMC) to validate and implement manoeuvres that guarantee the fastest possible route for the emergency vehicle. According to researchers’ estimates, the application of these digital twin-based strategies can reduce the time it takes for an emergency vehicle to reach the scene of an incident by up to 20%—a decisive factor in increasing victims’ chances of survival.

A smart mobility ecosystem

This validation adds to two other use cases already developed under DIMOS 5G, consolidating a comprehensive vision of the smart roads of the future. On the one hand, real-time monitoring via road sensors prevents congestion by detecting traffic jams and sending dynamic speed-reduction recommendations to avoid rear-end collisions. On the other hand, the system contributes to emissions control, as stabilising vehicle flow through the digital twin reduces pollutant gas emissions and makes the road more sustainable.

“This project is a clear sign of our commitment to making Catalonia a benchmark in digital transformation applied to mobility. Strategic alliances like the one between i2CAT and Autopistas are the necessary engine to move toward a smart road model where technology not only makes us more efficient and sustainable but acts directly to save lives and guarantee a safer society,” highlighted the Secretary of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation, Mr Albert Tort Pugibet.

l these new mobility and road safety services on the C-32 highway are part of the Government of Catalonia’s Connected and Smart Roads Program,” highlighted the Secretary of Mobility and Infrastructures, Mr Manel Nadal, “with the goal of providing high-quality, safe, and digitized infrastructure at the service of the public.”

“Collaboration with Autopistas allows us to transfer i2CAT’s cutting-edge research to a real and critical environment like the C-32. By using digital twins and 5G networks, we transform infrastructure into an active element capable of protecting people. This project reaffirms our commitment to smart, connected, and safe mobility, putting the potential of technology at the service of society,” noted the Director of i2CAT, PhD Sergi Figuerola.

“At Autopistas, we believe technology is key to making our roads safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. The digital twin demonstration on the C-32 confirms that smart mobility is not just the future but a reality: it enables real-time emergency detection and clears the way for assistance vehicles, saving lives and improving the user experience. This collaboration with i2CAT within the DIMOS 5G project reaffirms our commitment to innovation and to building a connected mobility ecosystem that puts safety and society at the centre of our activity,” stated the Managing Director at Autopistas, Daniel Vilanova.

These use cases are part of the DIMOS 5G project, funded by European NextGenerationEU funds under the Spanish Government’s UNICO Sectoral 5G 2023 program. The project seeks to enable a new mobility model based on smart vehicular communication, environmental sensing, and digital twins, building on previous research from the 6GTWINROAD project. Both initiatives have been supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

The success of this project is reinforced by the recent collaboration agreement signed by i2CAT and Autopistas to carry out research and innovation activities in the field of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM). This alliance highlights i2CAT’s role as a key centre for technology transfer, strengthening the research capabilities of companies that, like Autopistas, bet on digitalisation to improve their services in the territory. This is a long-term alliance in which cutting-edge technology is put at the service of smarter, safer, and more connected traffic management, consolidating an innovation model with a direct impact on society.