England's M25 Now Has a Digital Twin. Here's Why That Matters for Road Safety

National Highways has completed 3D drone mapping of the entire 120-mile M25, creating a "digital twin"—a constantly updated computer model that tracks the motorway's condition. This lets maintenance crews inspect roads without entering live traffic, reducing worker risk. The agency plans to extend the system across its 4,800-mile network, with new flight controls and supplier standards prepared for upcoming rules on autonomous drones.