Infrastructure Ontario and TMU to collaborate on digital twin capabilities
January 23, 2023, TORONTO – Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) have signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU), creating a framework to facilitate collaboration and support from the university as the province advances its goals to modernize Ontario’s infrastructure through digital twinning.
Digital twins are virtual models of a physical object or system, constantly updated with data so that the virtual version is reflective of the physical reality. By using this digital infrastructure to run simulations, proposed improvements and performance issues can be studied and assessed before solutions are implemented.
The MOU enables Infrastructure Ontario to leverage TMU’s extensive digital twins expertise and to test innovative solutions with TMU’s researchers for more efficient delivery of public infrastructure. Infrastructure Ontario is exploring how digital twins can benefit and modernize public infrastructure, addressing provincial goals such as building transit, highways and housing faster; creating climate resiliency; and examining how existing infrastructure solutions can be leveraged to create a network of digital twins. TMU’s researchers have substantial expertise across a comprehensive range of technology and infrastructure topics, including digital twins, housing, transit and the technological, physical and societal aspects of urban innovation.
TMU’s researchers will offer expert commentary and recommendations to Infrastructure Ontario on the development, delivery and analysis of digital twins. TMU anticipates the partnership will also help open opportunities for training next generation talent, as digital twin models become more widely employed.
Learn more about Infrastructure Ontario (external link) and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Quotes
“As a dedicated city builder in the heart of our country's largest city, TMU is well placed to understand, support and find solutions for the increasingly complex challenges faced by urban centres around the world. We are pleased that this collaboration can capitalize on TMU researchers' extensive digital twins expertise to further this important work.”
Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University
“We welcome the collaboration with Infrastructure Ontario and look forward to working together on such an important area that supports the planning and development of critical infrastructure. Our researchers are leading experts in the fields of digital twins and urban innovation whose knowledge and insights Infrastructure Ontario can leverage in modernizing Ontario’s public infrastructure. TMU is eager to support the Digital Twin Strategy and the creation of an ecosystem of research and innovation partnerships that will benefit Ontarians through economic development and improved planning for secure and sustainable infrastructure.”
Steven N. Liss
Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Toronto Metropolitan University
“We are pleased to partner with Toronto Metropolitan University. The fulsome application of digital twins will not only drive benefits across the full lifecycle of public infrastructure, but as we’ve seen in other jurisdictions, has the potential to completely transform the entire industry. Building deep partnerships with academia, industry, standards bodies, and policy teams will help accelerate Ontario’s journey into this arena.”
Amar Singh
Executive Vice President, Commercial Advisory and IO’s Digital Infrastructure Practice
"We are pleased to partner with Toronto Metropolitan University on this innovative venture. Digital twin models can help optimize the planning of public infrastructure projects that we're committed to delivering across Ontario.
Gord Reynolds
Vice President, Commercial Projects, Infrastructure Ontario
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 46,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 240,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca.
About IO
Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown agency of the Government of Ontario which supports the province’s initiatives to modernize and maximize the value of public infrastructure and real estate. With a proven track record of successful developments, IO plays a crucial role in enhancing Ontario's real estate portfolio, asset management of developed infrastructure, along with delivering infrastructure projects ranging from hospitals and courthouses to public transit systems and government buildings. IO's commitment to excellence and innovation aligns closely with the work being undertaken by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Digital Twins program.
Media Contact
Surbhi Bir (she/her)
Public Relations and Communication Specialist
Toronto Metropolitan University
surbhi.bir@torontomu.ca