A digital twin concept to improve travellers ‘door-to-door’ travel experience
Creators: name: La, Jiezhuoma
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 350902
subject: Intelligent mobility
classificationCode: 350905
subject: Passenger needs

description: This research project investigates the development of an advanced digital travel model that optimises travellers’ door-to-door travel experience by avoiding travel disruptions, especially for travel chains including air transport.

Digital tools and technologies available to facilitate travel are typically application and airline/ airport specific. There is not a single digital tool that a traveller can use to manage their entire travel processes. Separate travel tools focus on individual transport modes and lacking connectedness between different travel stages. A major cause of traveller frustration is unexpected disruptions that can have significant direct consequences in extended travel time and extra cost. Secondary consequences are missed business opportunities or social events. Existing travel models or tools cannot adequately forecast potential disruption nor provide support to change itinerary to avoid delay. Besides, the modern traveller demands seamless travel flow, smooth transfer, customised travel plans, flexible options, and a holistic travel experience. These needs and demands reflect the key features of door-to-door travel. 

To address these gaps, a framework for door-to-door travel companion has been developed that allows travellers to choose their optimal itineraries based on, for example, time or cost. Once travel is in progress, the door-to-door travel companion monitors progress and provides a notification if there is significant deviation from the planned itinerary and a missed connection is likely. The traveller then has the option to select an alternative route or travel mode, thereby avoiding potential disruptions. This feature distinguishes the door-to-door travel companion from other travel models or digital travel tools like Google Maps. 

A door-to-door travel companion prototype has been built based on this framework and validated on a number of travels by independent travellers with a mix of travel modes. The door-to-door travel companion enables travellers to positively interact with the aviation industry, and it optimises traveller experience on both long-haul and short-distance flight travel routes by avoiding disruptions. This door-to-door travel companion was developed using a digital twin concept, adopting simulation and information technology to support travel digitalisation and optimisation. Its functionality, usefulness, and practicality have been evaluated by completing a series of research activities, contributing to the finalisation of this project. 

The door-to-door travel companion assists travellers to avoid missed connection in advance, satisfying travellers’ travel demands and needs. The performance of the door-to-door travel companion has been validated through tests with travellers, confirming positive satisfaction and experience. Therefore, the research on the door-to-door travel companion is meaningful since it conforms to the industry development trend and market demands, changing the way of modern traveller travel.

This research and its outcomes provide a clear guideline for improving traveller satisfaction, involving digital technology in the aviation industry’s development, and contribute to the knowledge body of the research on door-to-door travel. Therefore, the research is in demand.