Adventure Cycling Association offers the best information in America for bicycle touring. They have a long list of bikes from a long list of companies. If you are interested in touring or a commuter bike this is an excellent list.
Touring bikes are designed to hold one or many bags. For commuting a back rack is a must. Backpacks throw off your center of gravity. They also have the screw holes in the frame for fenders to keep the rain off you and the bike. Most have steel frames and longer wheelbases, which do a better job at absorbing the road vibration than lightweight aluminum. Touring bikes will hold wider tires than a racer/road bike. Some hold mountain bike tires. To add shock absorption and stability.
I was happy to see my Bianchi Volpe near the top of the list. 