01
Optimization & Mathematical Modeling
Formulate complex transport decisions and solve them at operational and strategic scales.
Mathematical programmingMetaheuristicsNetwork optimization
Representative tools
Python
GAMS
CPLEX
Gurobi
NetworkXTransportation systems researcher
Surendra ReddyKancharla
From complex transport systems to decisions that hold up in practice.
I combine optimization, mobility analytics, and accelerated computing to design transport strategies that can be tested, explained, and deployed.
Senior Research Associate · Technische Universität Dresden · Dresden, Germany
22
publications
395
citations
8
h-index
13+
years active
Research focus
Five areas of research.
Decarbonize a fleetMake energy, emissions, and charging constraints operational.01Redesign distributionConnect routes, depots, fleets, and service trade-offs.02Measure mobility and accessTurn sparse urban data into usable network evidence.03Accelerate planningMake advanced models faster and easier to work with.04Plan under uncertaintyBuild recommendations that remain useful as conditions change.05
Research & publications
From research questions.To published evidence.
Explore the practical decisions behind the research, the methods used to address them, and the complete published and presented evidence for each topic.
22
publications
5
research areas
10/12
journal / conference
2016–2026
research span
Research areas
01 / 05
Research focus 01 · Decarbonize a fleet
How can a fleet cut emissions without creating operational penalties?
Context
Model the energy system at the level where decisions are actually made: vehicle, payload, route, charging event, and electricity source.
Research approach
Combine transport physics, life-cycle evidence, and routing algorithms so sustainability claims survive operational reality.
Methods
Energy-aware routing
Life-cycle assessment
Fleet and battery sizing
Outcome
A defensible transition plan linking environmental benefit to operational feasibility.
Latest publication
2022 · Journal article
Complete LCA of battery electric and Bharat Stage-VI vehicles for freight trips
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
Key findings
1First Indian study combining on-road PEMS factors, establishment trip diaries and full LCA (vehicle + battery + grid) for freight
2BS-VI offers large toxic-pollutant cuts (-74.5% HC+NOx) while BEVs halve GHGs (-50.3% CO2e)
3Break-even lifetime VKT: 23k km (LDETs), 35k (e-3W), 70k (MDETs), 90k (HDETs)
4Cutting coal share 60→0% raises per-km BEV savings +41% (e-2W) to +100% (HDETs)
Sustainable Freight & Electric Mobility
Open publicationAwards & honors
Recognition for researchand academic excellence.
Selected grants, awards, and scholarships supporting research quality, computational innovation, and international exchange.
7
recognitions
3
categories
Featured recognition
Jul. 2025 - Dec. 2025
Academic Grant Program
NVIDIA
Grant for GPU-accelerated transportation research and machine learning applications
2018-19
Institute research award
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Recognition for exemplary research work done by scholar during PhD studies
Scholarships & travel grants
Recognition over time
July 2020 - Oct. 2020
Scholarship
K. Ganesh and Meena Ganesh Fellowship for Entrepreneurship Development
IIT Madras
Fellowship for entrepreneurship development focused on transportation innovation
Jan. 2014 - July 2019
Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship
Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India
Government scholarship for academic excellence during PhD studies
Sep. 2016 & Sep. 2018
Travel grant
Student Travel Grant
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Support for conference presentations and research dissemination
Jan. 2017
Travel grant
Alumni Funded Travel Grant
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Alumni-sponsored grant for international conference participation
Mar. 2015
Travel grant
Study visit grant
Volvo Research & Educational Foundations, Sweden
Grant to visit University of Melbourne from Volvo Research & Educational Foundations
Working capabilities
Methods first.Tools in context.
Capabilities are organized around the research methods and practical work each tool supports, with an emphasis on combining transportation, optimization, data, and computing.
PythonGAMSCPLEXGurobiNetworkX02
Sustainable Freight & Routing
Connect vehicle physics, energy use, routing, and fleet design to decarbonization decisions.
Electric vehicle routingEnergy-aware operationsLast-mile systems
Representative tools
PythonGAMS
VISSIM
Aimsun03
Mobility Data & Spatial Analytics
Turn network, demand, imagery, and observed movement data into planning evidence.
OD estimationSpatial analyticsData-driven policy
Representative tools
Python
R
Pandas
NumPyNetworkX04
AI & Accelerated Computing
Build machine-learning and language interfaces that shorten advanced planning workflows.
Machine learningRAG and language modelsGPU acceleration
Representative tools
PyTorch
CUDA
CuPyPython
C
C++05
Research Software Engineering
Translate models into reproducible tools, data pipelines, APIs, and interactive applications.
Reproducible pipelinesScientific applicationsData systems
Representative tools
Git
JavaScript
Java
Next.js
Flask
MySQL
npm
InkscapeAcademic foundation
Grounded in engineering.Extended through research.
A progression from civil engineering fundamentals to doctoral research in sustainable transport systems and algorithmic decision-making.
02
degrees
11
years of study
Doctoral research
2013 - 2020Ph.D. & M.Tech. (Dual Degree)
Transportation Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai, India
Doctoral thesis
“Vehicle Routing Problems in Sustainable Urban Freight Transport: Model Formulations and Solution Algorithms”
Advisor: Prof. Gitakrishnan Ramadurai
1Specialized in vehicle routing and sustainable urban freight transport
2Developed algorithms for electric vehicle routing with non-linear charging
3Published 8+ peer-reviewed journal papers during doctoral studies
4Received a Government of India merit scholarship and institute research award
01
Engineering foundation · 2009 - 2013
Bachelor of Technology
Civil Engineering
Sri Venkateswara University
Tirupati, India
Highlights
Built a foundation in engineering mathematics and civil systems
Developed an early interest in transportation and optimization
Participated in technical symposiums and engineering workshops
Professional journey
Research across institutions.One research agenda.
A career connecting sustainable transport, urban analytics, optimization, and computational tools across India, the United States, and Germany.
13+
years
03
countries
04
positions
Scope of work
Leading research in next-generation transport planning and optimization
Developing GPU-accelerated methods for large transportation networks
Collaborating with international research partners
Supervising graduate researchers
Selected outcomes
Secured NVIDIA Academic Grant Program support in 2025
Developed approaches combining language models and accelerated computing
Contributed to sustainable transportation planning and policy research
Research leadershipGPU computingMachine learningTransport planning