Research project

UKCRIC National Infrastructure Database, Modelling, Simulation and Visualisation Facilities. Strand C: Data Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI)

Project overview

DAFNI (Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure) is a major UK facility which aims to advance infrastructure research. Based at Science and Technology Facility Council (STFC Harwell), DAFNI hosts national infrastructure datasets and provide a complex system science driven platform for modelling, simulation and visualisation. These capabilities are underpinned by the high throughput data interconnectivity and integrated high performance computing facilities required for multi-scale infrastructure system modelling, linked with a unique national infrastructure database. DAFNI was implemented and tested over the four-year period from 2017 to 2021, enabling significant new advances in infrastructure research and facilitating access to tools and methods capable of addressing real-world challenges at a range of scales.

DAFNI provides world-leading capability to support UK research, business and government in infrastructure systems analysis, modelling, simulation and visualisation.

The University of Southampton was one of  partner institutions overseeing the delivery and management of the programme, with the University's input being provided by representatives from TRG. 

As part of the DAFNI programme a virtual reality facility has been installed on the Boldrewood Campus which will facilitate a range of research into human-transport interactions.

More information on DAFNI is available on their website

More on UKCRIC (UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities).

Staff

Lead researchers

Professor Simon Blainey PhD, FRGS, FHEA, MCIHT, CMILT

Professor of Sustainable Transport

Research interests

  • Rail demand and operations modelling
  • GIS and transport
  • Transport decision support systems
Connect with Simon

Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs