One of the World’s Most Detailed Digital Twin of a Highway Delivered to Connect Plus of the M25 

Sensat, a leader in infrastructure digital twin technology, has partnered with Connect Plus, the organisation responsible for operating and managing the M25 network, and Octavius Infrastructure to create one of the most detailed digital twins of a highway. Spanning 450 km of critical highway network, the project marks a significant step forward in infrastructure management. By harnessing advanced reality data visualisation, the partnership promises to enhance the operation of one of Europe’s busiest motorways, delivering greater efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced safety.

This state-of-the-art visualisation provides precision and detail, powered by Sensat’s cutting-edge data capture methods, including UAV photogrammetry and Mobile Mapping LiDAR. The result is an accurate digital twin, capturing even the most intricate details with up to 50mm resolution. 

Angus Murray, CEO of Connect Plus, said: “Sensat’s digital twin technology is enabling us to deliver safer, more reliable journeys for our customers while limiting disruption and reducing our teams’ exposure to live traffic. We are able to use the digital twin to support our decision-making and work planning, reducing boots on the ground and prioritising the safety of our workforce, which is incredibly important to us.”

The comprehensive M25 digital twin is the second digital twin update for Connect Plus, reflecting changes in the highway’s condition. It contains 13 terabytes of data and 112 billion data points—the equivalent of one data point for each star in the Milky Way. This exhaustive dataset enables precise asset measurements, extending beyond the highway to include soft estate areas, and supports a wide range of critical activities across the network.

With over 160 users from Connect Plus, its framework partners and supply chain, Sensat’s platform is used weekly to optimise M25 operations. It has also been used by National Highway’s Major Projects team to visualise and plan their works. The technology is expected to generate significant return on investment over the five-year contract period.

James Dean, CEO of Sensat, highlighted the broader benefits of the partnership: “By combining advanced reality data with intuitive visualisation tools, Connect Plus and Octavius can streamline project timelines, enhance safety, and reduce the environmental footprint of infrastructure management. This project isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about redefining how teams manage infrastructure in a smarter, more sustainable way.”

Sensat’s platform plays a crucial role with key applications including:

• Remote asset validation: Minimise the need for site visits by validating designs and checking asset conditions remotely.
• Safety planning: Identify hazards early and visualise new works to ensure safer project execution.
• Desktop studies: Optimise space usage by detecting clashes early, reducing rework, and improving project coordination.

This collaboration sets the benchmark for future infrastructure projects, combining innovative technology with industry-leading expertise to transform how highways are managed.