Rethinking digital twins in transportation: From virtual model to Human-in-the-Loop control

Digital twins have emerged as a transformative concept in many fields, traffic management including. Yet their definition and practical applications remain ambiguous. This paper seeks to clarify what constitutes a true digital twin, distinguishing it from traditional traffic simulation models, and explores scenarios where digital twins offer unique advantages. Drawing on global best practices and state-of-the-art research, we identify key challenges and provide actionable insights into their resolution. A pivotal contribution of this study is the introduction of the Digital Twin Evropská (DTE)