Developing a Digital Twin for Cross River Rail: Bringing the Project to Life

During my tenure at V2i Group, I had the opportunity to work on the Cross River Rail Project as part of a talented team of 3D artists. This was a monumental project and a key government initiative designed to showcase the future of Brisbane’s rail infrastructure. Our task was to create a Digital Twin of the project—a highly detailed and interactive 3D replica—and make it accessible to the public through cutting-edge technologies like VR and video projection mapping.

About the Project

The Cross River Rail project is a transformative rail infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity across Brisbane. As part of the outreach effort, the Cross River Rail Experience Centre was created to offer an immersive, educational, and entertaining way for the public to explore and understand the project’s impact. Located in Brisbane, the centre combines virtual reality, interactive displays, and projection mapping to bring the project to life.

Learn more about the project: Cross River Rail Experience Centre.

My Role in the Project

As part of the 3D team, my work focused on optimizing the Digital Twin for video projection mapping. The goal was to allow visitors to explore the project in a dynamic and interactive way:

• Joystick-Controlled Navigation: We implemented a system where visitors could use a joystick to fly around the digital twin, navigate through stations, explore tunnels, and even drive a virtual train.

• Immersive Station Experiences: I worked on showcasing the design and functionality of new train stations, providing visitors with a real sense of scale and detail.

• Interactive Public Engagement: Visitors could explore areas of interest, such as station platforms or underground tunnels, at their own pace.

The integration of video projection mapping and VR was a critical part of the experience. By combining these technologies, we ensured that the digital twin could provide a realistic, immersive view of the project.

Inspiring the Next Generation

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Experience Centre is its role in education and community engagement. The centre regularly hosts school and university groups, providing students with hands-on exposure to the latest advancements in real-time technologies like:

• Digital Twins

• Virtual Reality (VR)

• 3D Projection Mapping

These visits inspire students to explore careers in engineering, technology, and digital design by showing them how projects of this scale are brought to life. By engaging with the interactive digital twin, they gain a deeper understanding of urban infrastructure and the technology driving its development.

“The Experience Centre isn’t just about showcasing Cross River Rail—it’s about inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.”

A Massive Collaborative Effort

The scale and scope of the Cross River Rail digital twin were immense. As part of a close-knit team of 3D artists and developers, we faced numerous challenges, from optimizing models for real-time performance to ensuring compatibility with multiple display technologies. Collaboration and creativity were key in overcoming these hurdles and delivering an interactive experience that met the project’s goals.

Visit the Experience Centre

The Cross River Rail Experience Centre is open to the public and continues to evolve with updates and new features. Whether you’re an engineer, a student, or simply curious about the future of Brisbane’s rail network, the centre offers a unique, interactive way to experience the project.

• Explore the digital twin.

• Fly through stations and tunnels.

• Drive a virtual train.

• Learn about Brisbane’s transformative rail infrastructure.

Visit the official site to plan your trip: Cross River Rail Experience Centre.

In Summary Working on the Cross River Rail Digital Twin was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to combine my skills in 3D design, real-time technologies, and interactive media. It was not just about creating a digital model; it was about delivering an engaging, educational experience that connects people to the project and its vision for the future.

From inspiring students to showcasing groundbreaking infrastructure, this project highlights the power of digital twins in modern urban development. I’m proud to have been part of a team that brought such a large-scale vision to life.