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Dr. Lakshay

Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Phone No(s): +915427165598
Email: lakshay.mec@iitbhu.ac.in
Area of Interest: Operations Research, Public Transportation Planning, Electric Mobility, Disaster resilience
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I am a researcher focused on using Operations Research, Service Analytics, and Statistics to solve practical problems in public systems. My work involves building mathematical models that help organizations make better decisions, especially when dealing with the uncertainty of real-world data. I am passionate about taking applying mathematical modelling and analytics techniques into simple, digital tools that improve how public services function every day.

Most of my recent work is in the field of public transport planning. I have collaborated with major Indian transport organizations, including APSRTC, DTC, and BMTC, to help modernize their operations. A key highlight of my work is a software toolkit I developed for schedule automation and optimization. This tool identifies inefficiencies in existing bus schedules and provides optimized versions automatically. We successfully tested and delivered this to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Because the software works with existing data and requires no extra spending, it is ready to be used by other Road Transport Corporations (RTCs). 

Beyond transportation, I apply my research to the circular economy and healthcare logistics. I am currently working on a project to create a sustainable blood supply chain. Overall, my goal is to build reliable decision support systems that make public institutions more sustainable and effective.

Research Scientist, Robert Bosch (South East Asia) Pte Ltd, Singapore (Oct 2018-Oct 2020):

As a Research Scientist at Robert Bosch in Singapore, I developed city-wide traffic simulation models to design and test strategies for reducing urban congestion. My work focused on enabling new mobility models based on shared assets and traffic flow optimization to create more sustainable city environments. I specialized in analyzing large-scale datasets and translating processed data into simulations that allowed for more accurate and data-driven decision-making.

This experience in Southeast Asia solidified my expertise in using simulations to solve the logistical challenges of modern, densely populated metropolitan areas.

  • Traffic Simulation: Built city-wide models to optimize flow and test shared mobility control strategies.

  • Data Analytics: Processed massive urban datasets to improve the precision of predictive simulations.

  • Strategic Optimization: Developed data-driven solutions to reduce congestion and support new mobility models.

Professional Recognition and Memberships

  • Institute Nodal Officer, PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity.

  • Institute Nodal Officer Member, India Universities and Institutions Network for Disaster Risk Reduction.

  • Member, INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences)

Honors and Awards

  • IIT Delhi Distinction in Doctoral Research Award (2022) — Recognized for outstanding doctoral research contributions.

  • Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) Fellowship (2015–2017) — Awarded for two academic years to support doctoral research.

 

Selected Journals Publications (scholar link): 

  • Harsh Shah, Ravi Gadepalli, Lakshay, Oded Cats (2026) Integrated charging facility planning and charging scheduling for a rural battery electric bus system. Under Review (R2) at Journal of Public Transportation. 

  • Borade, P., Nagar, G., Suman, H. K., Lakshay, Gadepalli, R., & Bolia, N. B. (2025). Design and implementation of a network-aware automated bus scheduling system for optimizing operational efficiency and financial performance. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 20, 101448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101448

  • Dayal, E., Unnikrishnan, A., Pani, A., & Lakshay. (2025). Optimal Location and Capacity Planning for Parcel Lockers: A Bi-Level Optimization Model Considering Planners’ and Customers’ Perspectives. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241311564

  • Dayal, E., Khuntia, L., Lakshay, Buldeo Rai, H., & Pani, A. (2025). Behavioral intention to use parcel lockers in the last mile and underlying linkages with travel modal choice. Research in Transportation Economics, 111, 101568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101568

  • Gopi, R., Pathak, D. V., & Pratap, S., Lakshay (2024). Barriers and drivers for sustainable public transportation in Indian context. Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation, 3(1), 100141.

  • Triapthi, G. & Lakshay (2024). Optimizing Strategic Placement of Railroad Accident Relief Equipment: A Simulation-Based Decision Tool: Simulation based placement of railroad relief equipment. Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research (JSIR), 83(7), 761-771.

  • Singh, S., Lakshay, Pratap, S., & Jauhar, S. K. (2024). Unveiling barriers to IoT adoption in the maritime freight industry. International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, 1-11.

  • Prajapati, D., Pratap, S., Zhang, M., Lakshay, & Huang, G. Q. (2022). Sustainable forward-reverse logistics for multi-product delivery and pickup in B2C E-commerce towards the circular economy. International Journal of Production Economics, 108606.

  • Lakshay, Bolia, N. B. (2022). Efficient evacuation strategies for emergency response management. Journal of Emergency Management (Weston, Mass.), 20(2), 175-196.

  • Lakshay, Bolia N. B. (2020). "Robust Scheduling for Bus Based Evacuation Planning.” Socioeconomic planning journal,71,100756, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2019.100756

  • Lakshay, Bolia N. B. (2019). "Operating Strategies of Buses for Mass Evacuation” Safety Sciences. 111, 167-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.07.007

  • Lakshay, Bolia N. B. (2018). "Network redesign for efficient crowd flow and evacuation during mass gatherings" Applied Mathematical Modelling. 53, 251-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2017.08.030

  • Lakshay, Bolia N. B. (2018). "Pedestrian Control Measures for Efficient Emergency Response Management in Mass Gatherings" International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment. 9(3):18. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-07-2017-0045

  • Lakshay, Agarwal A., & Bolia N. B. (2016). “Route Guidance Map for Emergency Evacuation” Journal of Risk Analysis and Crisis Response (JRACR). 6(3), 135-144. https://doi.org/10.2991/jrarc.2016.6.3.3

Conferences (Presented/Delegate):

  • Gopi, R., Lakshay, & Pratap, S. (2025). Electric bus charger scheduling with peak load and battery degradation costs under mixed-mode operation. Proceedings of the Fourth Australian International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM 2025), Melbourne, Australia, November 25–27, 2025.

  • Nagar, G., Suman, H. K., Lakshay, & Bolia. N. (2025). Optimization of bus schedule: An integrated approach to mitigate the bus overlapping. INFORMS International Meeting, Singapore, July 2025.

  • Nagar, G., Suman, H. K.,Lakshay,  & Bolia, L. N. (2025). Optimization of charging infrastructure and battery size for efficient electrification of diesel bus network. 5th IEOM India Conference, Tamil Nadu, India, November 2025.

  • Gopi, R., Mandal, B., Pratap, S., & Lakshay. (2024). Electric vehicle charging and battery swapping station allocation. BAMS-ORSI 2024: International Conference on Emerging Trends in Business Analytics & Management Sciences, IIT Bombay, India.

  • Dayal, E., Maurya, K., Agnivesh, & Lakshay. (2024). Optimizing last-mile delivery with drones: A hybrid approach using MILP and reinforcement learning. SOM 2024: XXVII Annual International Conference of Society of Operations Management, IMT Ghaziabad, India.

  • Singh, S., Pratap, S., & Lakshay. (2024). A pathway to decarbonizing maritime transport with alternative fuels. 4th International Conference on Global Innovations in Management and Social Sciences – Imparting Dynamics, Lumbini Banijya Campus, Butwal.

  • Nagar, G., Suman, H. K., & Bolia, L. N. (2024). An integrated approach to electric bus timetabling and scheduling for sustainable urban mobility. 33rd European Conference on Operational Research (EURO 2024), Lyngby, Denmark, June 2024.

  • Nagar, G., Suman, H. K., & Bolia, L. N. (2023). Bus crew schedule optimization in bus transit network: Impact on overtime cost of drivers. 56th Operational Research Society of India (ORSI 2023) Conference, IISc Bangalore, India, December 2023.

  • Sanketh, G. B., Pathak, D. V., & Lakshay. (2022). Indoor localization of pedestrians employing machine learning methods. International Interdisciplinary Conference on Mathematics, Engineering & Science, Durgapur, West Bengal, India.

  • Prajapati, D., Agarwal, R., Chelladurai, H., Lakshay, & Pratap, S. (2021). Develop a framework for sustainable supply chain problem for textile industry: In B2B e-commerce platform. International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management (ICIEM), MNIT Jaipur, India.

Courses at IIT(BHU) Varanasi: 

Post-Graduate Level

  • Network Flows and Graphs (ME-DSE 526)
  • Stochastic Decision Modeling (DSE 521)
  • Probability and Statistics for decision-making (ME-DSE-512)
  • Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms (ME-DSE 513)

Under-Graduate Level

  • Operations Research (ME 485)
  • Quantitative Methods for Decision making (MIM 572)
  • Introduction to Industrial Management (MIM 478): HULM course- Open Elective
  • Industrial Management (ME-471)- Mechanical core course

Funded Research Projects

  • Electric Bus Charging and Operations Optimization — Funded by Transit Intelligence LLP (₹21.24 Lacs). Principal Investigator. Developed optimization frameworks for integrated charging infrastructure planning and scheduling.

  • Sustainable Blood Supply Chain with Reverse Logistics — Funded by Sustainable Alternatives (₹18.15 Lacs). Principal Investigator. Applied operations research models to minimize waste through optimized redistribution.

  • Developing Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Among Youth — Funded by Mindshare (₹10.56 Lacs). Co-Investigator.  Frameworks promoting youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship.

  • Bus Schedule Optimization and Optimum E-Bus Scheduling for BMTC — Funded by GIZ, Germany (₹30.68 Lacs). Co-Investigator. Collaborative development of automated scheduling toolkits for diesel and electric fleets.

  • Technology Intervention for Creative Economy — Funded by Mindshare (₹9.35 Lacs). Principal Investigator. Developed technology-enabled models to support creative-economy initiatives.

  • Decision Support System for Crowd-Related Incidents — Institute Seed Grant, IIT BHU (₹9.5 Lacs). Developed modeling frameworks for crowd dynamics to enhance public safety protocols.

Strategic & Applied Research with External Stakeholders

  • AI for APSRTC with Service Analytics and Operations Dashboard | APSRTC (2026) — Built a unified service analytics dashboard for travel time and passenger demand prediction.

  • DAKSH: Bus Scheduling & Analytics Platform | DTC, Delhi (2025) — Developed an integrated scheduling and analytics platform supporting Unified Timetable (UTT) preparation using GTFS feeds and GPS PINGS.

  • Public Transport Accessibility Analysis | Rajkot (GFA Germany) (2024–2025) — Developed accessibility indicators based on travel time and walking thresholds to support network equity decisions.

  • Charging Infrastructure Planning for Rural Services | KKRTC (2023–2024) — Created optimization frameworks for priority-based charger allocation in rural bus networks.

  • Bus Operations and Scheduling Tool (BSOT) | IIT Delhi (2023–2024) — Designed OR-based scheduling and fleet assignment models validated through real operational datasets.

 

  • Distribution Models under Uncertainty: Stochastic Approaches to VRP — Technovation: Future Supply Chains and Transportation – Data to Digitalization, IDAPT and Gati Shakti STC at IIT (BHU), 31 January 2026.

  • Logistics Network Planning: Models of Optimization — Operations Management Strategies Course, KU Leuven, 08 May 2025.

  • Next-Gen Supply Chains: Harnessing IoT, Digital Twins, and AI-Driven Simulations — GIAN Course Delivered, 02 March 2025, IIT (BHU) Varanasi.

  • Techniques for Increasing the Capacity of the Road and Marine Transportation Systems — Short-term course funded by IDAPT, IIT (BHU) under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (IM-ICPS), 6–11 February 2024.

  • Improvement Strategies for Urban Freight Transportation System — IDAPT, IIT (BHU), 28 February – 4 March 2023.

  • Logistics Network Planning: Models of Optimization — Lecture delivered under PM Gati Shakti Scheme (AICTE ATAL), theme: Transportation & Logistics Industry, 20 February – 3 March 2023.

  • Data-Driven Supply Chain Transformation — Certification Course funded by IDAPT IIT (BHU) & NITIE Mumbai, 16 July – 21 August 2022.

  • Operating Strategies of Buses for Mass Evacuation — Prof. B. B. Bansal Memorial Lecture, Institute of Engineers, 19 April 2022.

  • Quantitative Techniques for Decision Making — Value Addition Program, Textile Institute of Technology and Sciences, Bhiwani, Haryana, 6 June 2022.

  • Syncing Education with Industrial Demands — FDP sponsored by Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow, 2–7 September 2021.

  • Data Analytics and Predictive Techniques for Urban Freight Transportation System — IDAPT IIT (BHU) under IM-ICPS, 11–14 November 2021.

 

Reviewed manuscripts from:

  • OPSEARCH The journal of Operational Research Society of India (ORSI)
  • Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  • Computers & Industrial Engineering
  • Operations Management Research

PhD

  • Mr Gyanesh Tripathi (Thesis Submitted), Supervisor: Working in the area of optimal allocation of accident relief facilities for a resilient railway network.
  • Mr Gopi R. (Ongoing, PhD), Supervisor - Working in area of E-mobility 
  • Mr. Eshwar Dayal (Ongoing), Supervisor: Working in area of sustainable last mile logistics
  • Ms. Suneet Singh (Ongoing, PhD), Co-supervisor: Working in area of maritime freight

MTech

  • Mr. Eshwar (completed), Supervisor 
  • Mr. Dev Vrat Pathak (completed), Supervisor 
  • Mr Bukkehathi Ramji (completed) Supervisor 
  • Dev Vrat Pathak (completed) Supervisor 
  • Sanjeeb Gouda (completed) Co-Supervisor 
  • Harsh H. Shah (completed) Supervisor 
  • Sankalp Jain (completed) Supervisor 
  • Lisa Khuntia (completed) Supervisor 
  • Bhavish Barak (completed) Supervisor 
  • Lavesh Agrawal (completed) Co-Supervisor 
  • Shikha (ongoing) Supervisor 
  • Shubham (ongoing) Supervisor