Gurugram: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in association with Radio Mirchi, has launched the Hyundai Traffic Quality Index (TQI), a real-time traffic rating system aimed at making urban congestion easier for commuters to understand across seven major Indian cities.
The service is being introduced in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, combining real-time traffic tracking, Radio Mirchi’s on-ground intelligence and official advisories from traffic authorities.
Designed somewhat along the lines of the familiar Air Quality Index, TQI converts a considerably messier subject — city traffic — into a colour-coded rating on a scale of 1 to 10. The system is intended to help motorists quickly assess traffic conditions, anticipate congestion and consider alternative routes.
Traffic information generated through the system will also be broadcast through Radio Mirchi’s programming network, allowing motorists to receive updates without having to interact with their mobile phones while driving.
Traffic information simplified into a 1-10 rating
According to Hyundai, the Traffic Quality Index is designed to create a standardised daily traffic language for commuters. Its ratings draw on multiple sources rather than relying on a single stream of information.
These include real-time traffic data, Radio Mirchi’s city-level on-ground intelligence, official updates on road closures and diversions, special movement notifications and alerts relating to planned civic or infrastructure activity.
The company said the combination is intended to provide a broader picture of prevailing traffic conditions and make the information easier to interpret at a glance.
Virat Khullar, Head, Marketing, HMIL, said, “At Hyundai, our commitment to road safety has always extended beyond the vehicle itself. For over three decades in India, we have continuously invested in technologies and initiatives that make mobility safer and smarter. With the Hyundai Traffic Quality Index, we are taking that commitment a step further by empowering commuters with actionable information. We believe informed and technology enabled decisions lead to safer roads, calmer driving behavior and better commuting experience. Our vision is for Hyundai Traffic Quality Index to evolve into a daily utility that millions of Indians rely on, much like they check the weather or the Air Quality Index before stepping out.”
Radio Mirchi to provide on-ground inputs and broadcasts
Radio Mirchi’s network of RJs and local teams will form another layer of the system, supplementing technology-based data with city-specific information gathered on the ground.
Mr. Yatish Mehrishi, CEO, ENIL, said, “Radio has always been a trusted companion for people on the move. With the Traffic Quality Index, we are taking that relationship a step further by making traffic information simpler, more consistent and more useful for everyday commuters. Our presence across cities, supported by our RJs, on-ground teams and real-time local insights, gives us a unique understanding of how people experience their daily commute. TQI brings these insights together in an easy-to-understand format that can help people make better decisions on the road. We are delighted to partner with Hyundai to build a public utility that can make urban commuting smarter and safer. It is a strong example of how media, technology and local intelligence can come together to solve an everyday consumer need.”
The radio-based delivery could be particularly useful during a journey, when checking a phone for changing traffic conditions would itself create an unwanted road-safety problem.
Traffic authorities back real-time information initiative
Officials from traffic and transport authorities in several participating cities said timely information could help motorists respond to congestion, diversions and changing road conditions more effectively.
ACP Ravindra Pandit, Delhi Traffic Police, said, “The Hyundai Traffic Quality Index is a commendable initiative that empowers us to keep commuters informed about congestion, diversions, and other traffic-related issues on specific routes. By receiving timely and accurate updates, motorists can make informed decisions and opt for alternate routes, reducing inconvenience and easing congestion. Timely dissemination of reliable traffic information benefits both the public and traffic authorities, making overall traffic management more efficient and commuter-friendly.”
Mr. Anil Patil, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Mumbai West, said, “Understanding and managing traffic more effectively has become increasingly important today. TQI will help us better understand traffic conditions, improve awareness among citizens, and provide valuable support in making traffic management more efficient.”
IPS Manoj Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police, Pune City, said, “Traffic Quality Index can give the traffic police a different kind of study and analysis. Especially because it will include inputs and suggestions coming directly from citizens. So, we will get an independent understanding of the actual traffic situation. I feel this can be extremely useful for us while planning future traffic management as well as infrastructure projects. So, I really welcome this initiative If we are able to measure the traffic quality index in this manner, it will definitely have an overall impact on our deployment and the way we manage traffic.”
Dr. B. Shamoondeswari, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Greater Chennai Police, said, “Just like AQI helps us understand air quality, TQI will help us understand traffic quality. It’s a great initiative that can make people more aware, help manage congestion, and contribute towards smoother traffic movement in our cities.”
ACP A. Krishnaiah, LB Nagar Traffic Police, Hyderabad, said, “The Hyundai Traffic Quality Index is a valuable initiative that helps commuters stay updated on traffic congestion, diversions, and other route-related issues. Access to timely and reliable traffic information enables motorists to plan their journeys better and choose alternative routes when required. This not only reduces travel inconvenience but also helps ease traffic congestion. Overall, the initiative supports both commuters and traffic authorities by making traffic management more effective, responsive, and commuter-friendly.”
What commuters can use TQI for
Hyundai said the index is intended to help motorists decide when to leave, identify congestion hotspots, consider alternative routes and reduce avoidable delays.
The broader aim is to turn complex traffic information into a format that can be understood almost immediately rather than requiring drivers to interpret several maps, alerts and advisories before beginning a journey.
The initiative also extends Hyundai’s road-safety efforts beyond vehicle-based technology, positioning traffic information itself as a tool for potentially safer and more predictable commuting.
Expansion to more cities planned
Hyundai and Radio Mirchi said they plan to expand the Traffic Quality Index to additional cities as the initiative develops. The partners also intend to enhance its data capabilities and introduce additional formats for delivering real-time traffic information.
Whether TQI becomes as instinctive to check as weather or AQI will ultimately depend on the consistency and usefulness of its ratings. But in India’s increasingly congested cities, giving commuters a simpler picture of what awaits them on the road could make everyday travel a little more predictable — even if it cannot persuade the traffic itself to move any faster.
Hyundai Traffic Quality Index Rating Framework
| Traffic Rating | Colour Code | Traffic Condition |
| 1-3 | Green | Light Traffic |
| 4-7 | Yellow | Moderate Traffic |
| 8-10 | Red | Heavy Traffic |
