Route Optimisation
What is it?
An add on module to the Transvirtual mobile app and web portal. All features are thoroughly integrated into both the Transvirtual mobile app and web portal.
Enables a number of functions resulting in more efficient drivers, higher levels of customer service and cost savings:
Route Optimization: Calculates the shortest driving distance required to visit a set of locations then orders the deliveries unlocking time and fuel savings.
ETA Reporting/Notification: Uses the driving times between locations to send automated updates on a drivers progress as they get close to delivery time. This process provides important ETA information to all levels of staff, senders and receivers.
Time & Distance Rates: Enables you to enter and apply rates that are calculated based on the distance or time taken to drive between two points.
To know more about time and distance rates, click here.
What does it do?
1. A manual optimization option allows drivers to visualize their route on a map that shows the current sort order.
2. An automatic optimization uses sophisticated algorithms to quickly find the shortest driving route between the locations on the device.
3. The driver can manually refine their route if required to ensure efficiency.
4. It provides accurate ETA times for deliveries, updating them live as the driver progresses through their route.
5. Receivers can receive ETA information and driver tracking links to enhance levels of customer service.
6. When used in conjunction with turn-by-turn directions, the module provides greater levels of driver assistance.
Enable this module:
1. To enable the Route Optimization Module, go to Configuration > General > Global Setup. On the General tab, go to Add on Modules section and enable the Enable Optimal Route Module toggle by clicking on the it as shown below.
2. Once enabled, you can configure the default settings for all devices in the Modules section. To enable it, click on the Default Allow Optimal Route Module toggle as shown below.
By default, this is disabled.
3. You can enable/disable this module for individual drivers if required.
If this is your first time to enable this module, you may need to refresh your browser window and/or restart/sync your mobile app to ensure that the menu options specific to this module are displayed.
Enable the Route Optimisation Module for Specific Devices
To enable the route optimisation module for specific devices, go to Transport > Configuration and Setup > Device List and select the applicable device from the list. You can override the global settings that are inherited by this device using the sliders.
The Route Optimization Module is now live and ready to use. Additional help and instructions can be found below.
The routing algorithm calculates the shortest driving distance (roads) to visit all locations but currently displays the route as a point-to-point line. The turn-by-turn navigation option will provide the fastest current driving route from your location to the next consignment drop address. There are additional features being developed that will be released as they are completed.
Route Optimisation - Mobile App Functionality
Basic Driver Workflow
If using consignment auto allocation rules, then start from Step 2.
- On the load screen, manually scan consignments to the device.
- Once scanning is done, tap on the Menu icon and select the List Order to view the order of the scanned or auto allocated consignments.
- On List order page, again tap on Menu icon, you will see Auto Route button, here tap on Auto Route button, all the consignment present in the load page will be reordered according to the distance.
To know more, about route-optimization, click here.
The optimized route takes into account the shortest driving distance required to visit each location. The map showing the optimized route will only display the route with point-to-point information.
Delivery ETA Time
With the route optimization module enabled, Transvirtual has the ability to provide accurate Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) updates that adjust the driver progresses through their route. Initially, an ETA is calculated and stored at the time the driver selects Leave Depot from their load screen. The system records travel times between each drop-off point, continuously updating ETA calculations throughout the driver run.
These up-to-date ETA values are displayed in a number of locations and are useful across a variety of roles.
- Driver Delivery Screen: Offers drivers a clear overview of upcoming locations and distances between drops, enabling them to monitor their progress in real-time.
- Customer Service: ETA information is available on the consignment tracking tab, empowering customer support staff to provide precise delivery estimates to customers.
- Operations: Staff can use ETA data to make informed decisions regarding pickup allocations or redirecting drivers to additional locations as needed.
- Receivers: Provides receivers with accurate delivery times, allowing them to plan accordingly and provide Alternate Time of Delivery (ATL) instructions online if they are unavailable to accept the delivery in person.
ETA Email Notifications
Email notifications can be sent:
- Approximately 30 minutes before ETA
- Approximately 15 minutes before ETA
You can choose to enable either of these rules or both. Each minute the system will check if the ETA of each drop has entered these trigger periods and send the selected notifications.
Technical Information
This module provides powerful tools but as with any piece of software there are limitations. You will need to be aware of the following points when working with this module.
Location data and hence routing results can only be as good as the address data that is provided.
Additional characters, numbers or comments in address fields may impact on the system's ability to be able to accurately plot locations and route drivers. To minimize this, we have implemented a set of custom algorithms to ensure that address and location data is as accurate as possible.
What can you do about this?
All staff and customers need to be vigilant and make every effort to ensure all consignment fields are entered as accurately as possible. Drivers who identify delivery addresses with incorrect location information can report these to administration staff who can correct the location via the address lists.
What does Transvirtual do about this?
Prior to the original release of this module, the entire address database across all users was scanned, cleaned and refined to improve poor quality data. The GPS readings of previous POD's for a location was compared to the address location data to identify and correct discrepancies. Addresses that are part of the optimization process will regularly be checked and compared to historical signature/POD GPS data to ensure that they are as accurate as possible.
The larger the number of locations being optimized, the longer the optimization will take.
This is a mathematical reality that stems from the complicated nature of the calculations being completed. All software strikes a balance between the time taken to optimize a route and the quality of the optimization. That means when given 10 seconds, a reasonably efficient route might be generated for a set of locations. Given 30 seconds, and the same set of locations, a more efficient route might be obtained.
It's important for all users to realize that this module DOES NOT remove the need for a driver to use common sense and local knowledge when reviewing the optimized route. This should be done BEFORE leaving the depot to identify possible anomalies, as a critical last step to ensure the most efficient route, and to ensure that ETA's that are generated are as accurate as possible.
Optimization requests may be limited to ensure continuity of service.
The time and resources required to process these requests mean that there may be restrictions of the number of times a route can be optimized. This is to ensure that a consistently high level of service can be provided to all users wishing to take advantage of these features.
This module makes use of data and/or services provided by third parties
Transvirtual always maintains contingency plans and takes every effort to ensure that we provide a consistently high availability of services. We cannot however be held responsible if for any reason the data/services being provided by a third party are not available for a period of time. In the unlikely event that this happens, all payments being made for the effected service (module) will be suspended until such time that they can be reinstated or an alternative option can be implemented.
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