Project iRASTE – Leveraging AI and Data to Improve Road Safety has received an Honorable Mention Award at the ACM India Outstanding Applied Innovation in Computing (OAIC) 2026. The recognition was conferred at the inaugural edition of the ACM India OAIC Awards, celebrating impactful applied computing research with real-world societal outcomes. The award carries a prize of ₹2 lakhs and will be formally presented at the awards ceremony on 14 February 2026 at IIT Hyderabad.
Project iRASTE (Intelligent Solutions for Road Safety through Technology and Engineering) has been recognised for its pioneering and rigorous application of computer science to address India’s critical road safety challenges. Led by IIIT Hyderabad in collaboration with CSIR–CRRI and Intel, the project moves beyond isolated pilots to offer a holistic, city-scale, data-driven framework for road safety—first implemented in Nagpur and subsequently replicated in Telangana.
At the core of iRASTE lies deep foundational applied research, including the creation of the India Driving Dataset (IDD), which enables AI-driven analytics to identify high-risk road segments. These insights are then translated into targeted road engineering interventions, improved driver training, and optimized emergency response systems. The project has already demonstrated measurable impact, including a significant improvement in critical trauma care skills among first responders, highlighting its potential for life-saving outcomes.
Distinguished as a seminal contribution to applied computing, iRASTE is not merely a monitoring system but a replicable blueprint that integrates AI, civil engineering, and public policy. Designed with the ambitious goal of reducing road accidents by 50%, the project has earned global recognition, including the GovTech Award at the World Government Summit 2024. iRASTE stands as a compelling model of how academic innovation, in close collaboration with government and industry, can deliver scalable and sustainable public safety solutions in complex real-world environments.
More details:
https://awards.acm.org/acm-india-oaic
https://www.acm.org/articles/acm-india-bulletins/2026/oaic-award-2026
January 2026