Heriot-Watt’s HR Tool Prepares Firms for Digital Twinning in Transport

Key Points

• Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are developing a Human Capital Readiness Index for Digital Twinning to assist organisations and HR teams in preparing for wider adoption of digital twin technologies.
• Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical systems, enabling faster and more cost-effective testing than real-world trials, with applications in transport, manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors for smarter, lower-carbon decisions.
• The tool is part of the TransiT research hub, jointly led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, focusing on decarbonising UK transport.
• Dr Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik, Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School and a TransiT researcher, is leading the development.
• The index addresses both technical skills (e.g., cybersecurity, analytics, AI) and behavioural capabilities needed to manage information overload from digital twins.
• The prototype will be a simple online tool where organisations input workforce and context data to receive a readiness score and tailored recommendations.
• Dr Mubarik works in TransiT’s Work Package 2, examining human factors in transport decision-making.
• His background includes co-authoring the book Human Capital, Innovation and Disruptive Digital Technology, with methodologies adapted for digital twinning.
• A PhD student has joined TransiT to develop and test the index.
• TransiT aims to create a network of interlinked digital twins for the UK transport system to identify lower-emission options.
• The index provides gap analysis for training, recruitment, and development to maximise digital twin value.
• TransiT targets net zero emissions across road, rail, air, and maritime transport for passengers and freight.
• Funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), TransiT involves eight universities and nearly 70 industry partners.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 26, 2026 – Scientists at Heriot-Watt University are pioneering a Human Capital Readiness Index for Digital Twinning to equip organisations with the skills and capabilities needed for adopting this transformative technology. The tool promises to bridge the gap between technical innovation and human readiness, particularly in transport decarbonisation efforts. As digital twins gain traction across industries, this development could accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero emissions.

What Are Digital Twins and Why Do They Matter?

Digital twins represent digital replicas of physical entities, systems, or processes, allowing for rapid simulation and testing without real-world risks or costs. They are increasingly vital in sectors like transport, manufacturing, construction, and energy, where they enable data-driven decisions that cut emissions and boost efficiency.

The TransiT hub, as described in the original announcement, leverages digital twinning to model UK transport scenarios for lower-carbon outcomes. This aligns with broader UK goals for net zero by 2050, where such technologies could optimise routes, predict maintenance, and reduce environmental impact.

Who Is Leading This Initiative?

Dr Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik, a researcher with TransiT and Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School, is at the forefront. As reported in the Heriot-Watt University press release, Dr Mubarik explained:

“Because digital twins change how decisions are made, adopting them is not just a technical challenge. It also demands new skills, mindsets and ways of working across organisations.”

He further elaborated:

“Our Human Capital Readiness Index will help us understand what specific human resources are needed in an organisation for digital twinning and what kinds of behavioural capabilities are required.”

For instance, a logistics provider adopting a transport digital twin might require staff expertise in cybersecurity, analytics, or artificial intelligence.

Dr Mubarik’s work falls under TransiT’s Work Package 2, which focuses on human factors in transport interactions and decision-making. An industrial economist by training, he examines how human capital and digital technologies reshape value chains for resilience and decarbonisation.

How Does the Human Capital Readiness Index Work?

The prototype index is designed as a user-friendly online tool. Organisations will input details about their workforce and operational context, receiving an indicative readiness score alongside practical recommendations.

As Dr Mubarik noted:

“For example, if a logistics service provider wants to adopt our transport digital twin, their employees might need specific expertise in areas like cybersecurity, analytics or artificial intelligence. On the behavioural side, digital twins can be helpful, but they can also become counterproductive if the flow of information is overwhelming. So, we look at what capabilities are needed to make sense of that information and act on it.”

This approach draws from Dr Mubarik’s co-authored book, Human Capital, Innovation and Disruptive Digital Technology: A Multidimensional Perspective, which outlines methodologies for human capital indices in technology adoption. These are now being tailored for digital twinning, with a PhD student assisting in development and testing.

What Is TransiT and Its Broader Goals?

TransiT is a national digital twinning research hub jointly led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow. It aims to develop a network of interlinked digital twins mirroring the UK’s transport system, enabling operators and travellers to select lower-emission pathways.

Dr Mubarik added:

“Digital twins are expected to become everyday technology in the industrial world. Within TransiT, we are developing a network of interlinked digital twins representing the UK’s transport system. Transport operators and travellers will be able to use these tools to identify lower-emission options. Our Human Capital Readiness Index will provide a form of gap analysis so we can suggest to organisations what kinds of training, recruitment or development programmes might be needed to ensure they can realise the full value of these digital twins.”

The hub targets the lowest-cost, least-risk pathways to net zero across road, rail, air, and maritime transport for passengers and freight. By integrating human insights with technology, TransiT seeks a managed transition to sustainable systems.

Funded by the UK Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the primary funder for engineering and physical sciences, TransiT unites eight universities and nearly 70 industry partners.

Why Is Human Readiness Critical for Digital Twinning?

Adopting digital twins extends beyond hardware and software; it requires organisational transformation. The index highlights gaps in technical skills and behavioural traits, such as handling data overload, ensuring technologies deliver value rather than disruption.

In transport, where decisions affect emissions and efficiency, unprepared workforces risk underutilising tools. The TransiT initiative positions the index as essential for aligning human capital with innovation, fostering resilience in decarbonisation efforts.

How Does This Fit into UK Decarbonisation Efforts?

The UK’s transport sector, a major emissions source, stands to benefit immensely. TransiT’s digital twins could simulate scenarios for greener logistics, aviation, and rail, while the readiness index ensures employers scale adoption effectively.

This work supports national net zero ambitions, with EPSRC backing underscoring governmental priority. As industries face regulatory pressures, tools like this could standardise preparation, promoting equitable technological uptake.

What Are the Next Steps for the Tool?

The prototype’s rollout will involve testing with industry partners, refining based on real-world feedback. A PhD researcher’s involvement signals rigorous validation ahead.

Dr Mubarik’s team anticipates widespread use, mirroring digital twins’ projected ubiquity. Early adopters in logistics and transport may pilot it, informing broader applications.

Implications for Employers and HR Teams

For HR professionals, the index offers actionable insights: targeted training in AI or cybersecurity, cultural shifts for data-savvy decision-making. In competitive sectors, readiness could differentiate firms in bidding for sustainable contracts.

Neutral observers note potential challenges, such as data privacy in assessments or scalability across SMEs. Yet, its simplicity—via an online interface—suggests accessibility.

Broader Context from Heriot-Watt and Partners

Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School has long championed human capital in innovation. Collaborations like TransiT exemplify interdisciplinary approaches, blending academia and industry.

The University of Glasgow’s co-leadership brings transport expertise, while EPSRC funding ensures alignment with strategic priorities. No conflicting reports emerged from sources, affirming the story’s focus.