National Digital Twin for Logistics and Supply Chains Systems: Outlooks and Challenges
CME Department Seminar
April 18, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM America/Chicago
Presenter: Tho Le, PhD, Purdue University
Location: ERF 1047 or Zoom
Meeting ID: 535 718 1241
Passcode: Lin@842cme
Abstract: As logistics and supply chain systems (LSCSs) evolve in complexity and scope, the adoption of national digital twin (NDT) technology emerges as a promising solution to enhance transparency, resilience, and sustainability. In this research, we propose a systematic approach to develop transparent, trustworthy, reliable, and secure NDTs for LSCSs. First, three main principles of NDTs are identified to explain their significance in LSCSs. Second, we discuss the future outlooks of an NDT for LSCSs, where critical factors and aspects are involved. Third, the key components of an NDT are identified, which provides technical details for implementing a real system. Fourth, the technology enablers in the three layers of an NDT are extensively elaborated. Next, we propose an architecture and design a prototype of an NDT tailored to LSCSs based on the key components and technology enablers. Finally, the presentation will discuss ethics and data governance challenges, highlighting their importance in ensuring responsible and secure implementation of NDTs in LSCS.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Tho Le is a tenure-track assistant professor of industrial engineering technology at the School of Engineering Technology at Purdue University where he leads the Smart Logistics Systems (SmartLogs) Research Lab. Le received his Ph.D. degree in transportation and infrastructure systems engineering and a master's degree in industrial engineering (operations research) from Purdue University. Before arriving at Purdue, he won the Best Master's Thesis Award in Transportation Engineering from Hiroshima University (Japan).
Le’s research focuses on system-scale transportation modeling, analysis, and simulation. His work uses a range of techniques from optimization, AI/machine learning, and econometrics to model and provide quantitative analysis in order to guide industry planning and government decision-making. His papers are published in prestigious international journals, such as Transportation Research Part B: Methodological; Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies; Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review; Computers and Industrial Engineering; Transportation; and Travel Behaviour and Society.
Le is a member of the Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics (AT015) and the Urban Freight Transportation (AT025) Committees at TRB. At Purdue, he is a member of the Applied AI Research Center (AARC) and the Institute for Control, Optimization and Network (ICON). Dr. Le is also affiliated with the Integrative Data Science Initiative (IDSI) and Semiconductors@Purdue.
Date posted
Apr 4, 2025
Date updated
Apr 4, 2025