IIT (BHU) wins Global Transport Innovation Award for “CommuteQ” project

VARANASI: The Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi was internationally recognised for its innovative mobile application “CommuteQ”, proposed to make urban transport more seamless and eco-friendly. The project was declared a global winner of the Urban Transport Challenge 2025 (Station Access and Mobility Program – STAMP challenge) organised by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in collaboration with WRI India, BMTC, Bangalore Metro, and ELCIA. CommuteQ was specially selected for its creative, technological innovation, and human-centric approach.CommuteQ is a mobile app-based project led by Agnivesh Pani, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT (BHU).

The project is a collaborative effort involving experts from IIT Tirupati, IIIT Bangalore, IIM Indore, and ITSPE India. Its objective is to encourage sustainable and green travel choices through the use of digital tools and behavioural science — such as walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.The app, currently in the beta-testing stage, includes several features like “Mobility Quests”, a visual record of low-carbon journeys, a personal commute tracker, and smart travel suggestions.

It not only supports commuters in making informed, eco-friendly travel decisions, but also includes a dashboard for city planners to better understand commuter needs and design more effective transportation strategies.

Additional features include real-time information on low-pollution routes, availability of taxis, autos, and metro services, visibility at night, and nearby access to food, medicine, or resting facilities.Pani said that CommuteQ aims to leverage real-time data, gamified incentives, and hyperlocal storytelling to nudge people away from solo car use and toward public, shared, and active modes of travel. From dynamic walkability scores and commute lineages to carbon savings dashboards and neighbourhood stories, CommuteQ turns everyday commutes into smarter, greener journeys - one nudge at a time. He said that the app is designed to foster a sense of connection with users and gently influence travel habits toward positive change. As one of the winning projects of the STAMP Innovation Challenge, CommuteQ will receive a share of the total approx. Rs. 83 lakhs, which will be used to launch a 9-month behavioural mobility pilot in Electronics City, Bengaluru, starting from September. Following the pilot, the app will be expanded to other cities across the country. It will be available for public use on Google Play Store and Apple App Store within the next three months.On this achievement, the IIT (BHU) Director, Prof. Amit Patra, said, “This is a moment of great pride for our institute. The CommuteQ project proves that when technology, innovation, and societal needs come together, solutions can create global impact. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Agnivesh Pani and his multi-institutional team for this remarkable accomplishment.”