Indore, Jan 12, 2026 — The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based system aimed at making India’s roadways safer and traffic management more efficient. The technology, officials said on Monday, seeks to prevent accidents, reduce congestion, and support the country’s transition toward smarter, connected, and eventually driverless vehicles.

Speaking to PTI, Prof. Prabhat Kumar Upadhyay from IIT Indore’s Department of Electrical Engineering said, “As the world moves toward autonomous vehicles, it has become critical to make India’s traffic system intelligent and safe. To address this, we have developed next-generation traffic management technology using AI and advanced communication systems.”

Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X): How It Works

The core of the innovation lies in a system called Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X). This system enables vehicles to communicate instantly with each other and with traffic infrastructure, transmitting real-time alerts about road conditions, accidents, or traffic congestion. The immediate communication helps drivers make timely decisions to avoid potential collisions or bottlenecks, enhancing both safety and traffic flow.

“Imagine a car approaching a congested intersection or a section of road with a sudden hazard,” explained Prof. Upadhyay. “The C-V2X system sends alerts to nearby vehicles, enabling drivers to adjust speed, reroute, or exercise caution. This timely information can prevent accidents and reduce traffic jams.”

Leveraging High-Speed Networks

The technology utilizes high-speed wireless networks such as 4G LTE and 5G, ensuring that critical messages reach vehicles in real time. However, one of the main challenges in connected vehicle systems is the efficient allocation of wireless communication resources. The IIT Indore team developed intelligent resource allocation algorithms that dynamically assign bandwidth based on network load, signal quality, and current traffic conditions. This ensures low-latency communication for safety-critical messages while minimizing interference with regular cellular users.

Broader Implications for Road Safety and Mobility

Prof. Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, highlighted the importance of the research in the broader context of urban mobility. “Road safety and sustainable mobility are among the most pressing challenges of our time. Research in connected and intelligent transportation systems, such as C-V2X, represents a transformative step toward safer roads and smarter cities.”

The IIT Indore initiative is expected to have multiple positive impacts:

• Accident Prevention: By alerting drivers about hazards ahead, the system can reduce collisions and associated injuries.
• Traffic Efficiency: Real-time communication enables smoother traffic flow and helps prevent bottlenecks.
• Autonomous Vehicle Readiness: As driverless cars become more prevalent, such communication systems will be essential for vehicle coordination.
• Urban Planning and Smart Cities: Integrating AI-driven traffic data can help city planners optimize infrastructure and emergency response.

A Step Toward the Future

The development at IIT Indore exemplifies how cutting-edge engineering and AI can address critical challenges in urban transportation. By combining intelligent algorithms, AI, and high-speed communication networks, the system not only enhances road safety but also prepares India’s cities for the next generation of mobility solutions.

“Connected and intelligent transportation systems are no longer a distant dream,” said Prof. Upadhyay. “With innovations like C-V2X, India is taking a significant step toward safer, more efficient, and smarter roads.”

The project underscores IIT Indore’s role in applied research with societal impact, demonstrating how academic innovation can translate into practical solutions for everyday challenges. With road accidents remaining a major concern in India, such AI-driven technologies have the potential to save lives, reduce congestion, and make urban mobility more sustainable.