Hyundai Traffic Quality Index (TQI) provides commuters with a real-time, colour-coded traffic rating to help them plan journeys and make safer commuting decisions
Mumbai : Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in association with Radio Mirchi, has launched the Hyundai Traffic Quality Index (TQI), a real-time traffic information system aimed at helping commuters better understand traffic conditions and make informed travel decisions.
The initiative has been introduced across seven major Indian cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata.
The TQI is designed as a simple, easy-to-understand traffic rating system inspired by the concept of the Air Quality Index (AQI). It converts complex and constantly changing traffic information into a colour-coded score from 1 to 10.
What is Hyundai Traffic Quality Index?
The Traffic Quality Index provides a snapshot of prevailing traffic conditions through three categories:
| TQI Score | Colour | Traffic Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 🟢 Green | Light Traffic |
| 4–7 | 🟡 Yellow | Moderate Traffic |
| 8–10 | 🔴 Red | Heavy Traffic |
A lower score indicates relatively smoother traffic movement, while a higher score signals heavier congestion.
The objective is to make traffic information as easy for commuters to understand as checking the weather or AQI before beginning a journey.
How does the TQI work?
The system combines multiple sources of information to provide commuters with a more comprehensive view of traffic conditions.
These include:
- Real-time traffic data
- Radio Mirchi’s on-ground intelligence network
- Official advisories from traffic authorities
- Information about prevailing congestion and road conditions
By bringing these inputs together, the initiative aims to provide commuters with information that is not only timely but also actionable.
Helping commuters plan their journeys
Traffic congestion can significantly increase travel time, fuel consumption and stress for motorists.
The TQI is designed to help commuters anticipate traffic conditions before and during their journeys.
Depending on the traffic rating, commuters can:
- Plan their journey more effectively
- Consider alternative routes
- Allow additional travel time
- Make better-informed driving decisions
- Stay updated about changing road conditions
The initiative is particularly relevant in India’s major metropolitan areas, where traffic conditions can change rapidly throughout the day.
Radio Mirchi to provide live traffic updates
A key part of the initiative is the use of Radio Mirchi’s programming network to communicate traffic updates to motorists.
The radio-based approach allows drivers to receive relevant traffic information while remaining focused on the road instead of repeatedly checking their smartphones.
This could make the TQI particularly useful during peak commuting hours, when congestion can change rapidly due to accidents, road closures, weather conditions, public events or other disruptions.
Hyundai’s focus on road safety
According to Virat Khullar, Head – Marketing, Hyundai Motor India, the initiative represents an extension of Hyundai’s road-safety efforts beyond the vehicle itself.
The objective is to empower commuters with useful and actionable information so that they can make safer and more informed decisions while travelling.
The initiative reflects a broader approach to road safety in which technology, information and awareness complement vehicle-level safety features.
Radio Mirchi highlights the role of local intelligence
Yatish Mehrishi, CEO of ENIL (Radio Mirchi), said the initiative aims to make traffic information simpler and more useful for everyday commuters.
By combining the reach of radio broadcasting with local, on-ground intelligence, the Traffic Quality Index seeks to provide commuters with information that is relevant to the roads they are travelling on.
Traffic authorities welcome the initiative
Senior traffic police officials from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad have welcomed the initiative.
Officials highlighted the importance of timely and reliable traffic information in helping commuters make better travel decisions.
Such information can also contribute to improved traffic management by encouraging motorists to avoid heavily congested routes and distribute traffic more efficiently across available road networks.
Why the initiative matters for Indian cities
Traffic congestion has become an increasingly important urban challenge in India’s major cities.
Large metropolitan areas experience frequent fluctuations in traffic because of:
- Peak-hour commuting
- Road construction
- Accidents and breakdowns
- Weather conditions
- Public events
- Road closures and diversions
- High vehicle density
A simple real-time rating system could make it easier for ordinary commuters to understand the overall traffic situation without having to interpret complicated traffic maps or multiple data points.
Seven cities covered initially
The Hyundai TQI has initially been launched in:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Pune
- Kolkata
These cities represent some of India’s largest and busiest urban transportation markets.
Hyundai and Radio Mirchi’s long-term vision
Hyundai Motor India and Radio Mirchi aim to develop the Traffic Quality Index as a daily utility for Indian commuters, similar to how people routinely check weather forecasts or AQI levels before stepping out.
The initiative combines automotive technology, real-time information, radio broadcasting and traffic intelligence to create a simple platform for understanding urban mobility conditions.
Key Takeaway
The Hyundai Traffic Quality Index is a new real-time traffic rating system that gives commuters a 1–10 colour-coded traffic score across seven major Indian cities.
By combining real-time traffic data, Radio Mirchi’s on-ground network and traffic authority advisories, the initiative aims to help motorists anticipate congestion, choose alternative routes and make safer, more informed commuting decisions.
