Hyundai, Radio Mirchi launch traffic index across seven Indian cities

MUMBAI: Traffic gets a colour makeover. Hyundai Motor India, in association with Radio Mirchi, has launched the Hyundai Traffic Quality Index (TQI), a real-time traffic rating system designed to make India’s daily road chaos easier to read and act on.

The initiative has gone live across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, combining live traffic data, Radio Mirchi’s on-ground intelligence and updates from traffic authorities. The aim is to give commuters a simple snapshot of road conditions so they can anticipate congestion, consider alternate routes and make more informed travel decisions.

Unlike conventional traffic updates that can require commuters to check an app or map, TQI will also be broadcast through Radio Mirchi’s programming network, allowing drivers to receive updates without interacting with their phones while on the road.

The Hyundai TQI borrows the simplicity of the Air Quality Index, turning complex traffic information into a standardised rating from 1 to 10.

A rating of 1 to 3 represents green light traffic, indicating relatively smooth movement. Ratings of 4 to 7 signal yellow, or moderate traffic, while 8 to 10 indicate red and heavy traffic.

The colour-coded system is intended to help commuters understand road conditions at a glance rather than decode multiple traffic alerts or map indicators.

The index can be used to plan departure times, identify congestion hotspots and consider alternative routes. Hyundai said the broader objective is to support safer driving and reduce unnecessary delays.

TQI draws on multiple sources rather than relying solely on live traffic tracking.

Its inputs include real-time traffic data, Radio Mirchi’s city-wide on-ground intelligence, official traffic advisories, road closures and diversion updates. The system will also incorporate information on special movements and planned civic or infrastructure activity that could affect traffic.

Bringing these sources together is intended to provide a fuller picture of traffic conditions across each participating city.

Hyundai Motor India head of marketing Virat Khullar said the company’s focus on road safety extends beyond its vehicles, with TQI intended to give commuters actionable information before and during their journeys.

ENIL CEO Yatish Mehrishi said Radio Mirchi’s RJs and on-ground teams bring local knowledge of how commuters experience traffic in different cities, which can complement technology-driven data.

The partners are positioning TQI as more than another traffic alert service. Hyundai wants the index to become a daily reference point for commuters, similar to checking the weather or AQI before leaving home.

The initiative also brings traffic authorities into the information loop. Inputs from police and transport officials can help reflect diversions, congestion and special traffic arrangements that may not always be captured through conventional live traffic data alone.

For traffic authorities, the system could also provide another way to understand recurring congestion patterns and commuter behaviour, potentially supporting future traffic management and infrastructure planning.

The first phase covers Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata, giving TQI a presence across some of India’s busiest urban centres.

The partners plan to expand the initiative to more cities as it evolves, while adding data capabilities and new formats to make traffic information easier to access.

For now, the proposition is deliberately simple: one number, three colours and a quicker read on what the road ahead looks like. In cities where a commute can change character from one signal to the next, Hyundai and Radio Mirchi are betting that a little clarity could go a long way.