Route optimisation is a term used to refer to the process of choosing the ideal way of travel from one place to another after consideration. The ultimate goal is to save fuel costs and spend minimum time on travel.
What is Route Optimisation in Fleet Management?
Route optimisation in fleet management means finding a way with minimum distance to deliver goods on time and save maximum on the travel cost. Finding the particular route is called route optimisation in fleet management.
Several factors should be considered before choosing the path to the next destination. Many factors contribute to declaring any "path" optimised and efficient.
For instance, a way to a particular city might be shorter than others, but it cannot be chosen for reasons like dangerous turns, land sliding concerns, and lack of access to gas stations or amenities.
Why opt for Route Optimisation?
The main reason to choose any path between two destinations is to maximise fleet efficiency and effectiveness while taking care of drivers' needs and minimising the risks of accidents. For instance, an optimised route for the fleet will cover distance in the minimum possible time and save money on fuel and travel. At the same time, offering easy access to amenities, including rest stops and gas stations.
In this blog, we will cover what is route optimisation in fleet management, its benefits and its challenges. So, let's get started:
For this reason, the distance between two points might not be the most important factor in route optimisation. In fact, good route optimisation processes recognise that several factors contribute to determining which path is most efficient. For example, the number of turns, the traffic patterns and access to necessary amenities, such as fuelling stations or rest stops, may significantly impact the effectiveness of a given path.
Efficient route management improves the effectiveness of fleets and maximises the number of deliveries. At the same time, it can reduce the mileage and drive costs. This article will guide you through the route management trends, benefits, and challenges.
Challenges for route optimisation in Fleet Management:
The pandemic has changed the shape of how companies work in the world. Fast delivery of essential products has become vital for cargo and transportation companies. The challenges are the same for all logistic businesses, no matter whether you are running a new small company or an established mighty chain.
A few of the challenges fleet management businesses are facing while choosing the travel path are:
Variety of factors affecting travel efficiency:
Many routes are not considered suitable for travel for multiple reasons. Companies that are still planning routes manually have to face challenges. For instance, there is a lack of access to real-time information about the driver, vehicle condition, fuel cost, weather, and ways of loading and unloading, delivery time and vehicle capability in harsh conditions.
Experts' deficiency:
Many people now prefer to order online, and logistics companies have to deal with the fast-growing number of deliveries on time. It is hard to meet the needs of on-time efficient deliveries without an intelligent plan and advanced technology.
Dealing with prompt changes in route:
The third challenge fleet management companies’ face is planning the route accordingly and promptly dealing with unwanted circumstances. For instance, heavy rainfall or snow can make the drivers change their chosen path. Likewise, traffic jams due to accidents can be a factor in changing routes at the last moment.
Route management Trends:
Thankfully, the latest technology and science are making life easier for all. The route optimisation challenges fleet management faces can be resolved quickly with artificial intelligence and high-tech solutions.
Gone are the days when the path between two destinations was chosen by a map or an experienced driver's guide. AI and telematics software are the ultimate guides to choosing the best-optimised route in fleets.
The route management software allows minimal travel distance and saves on travel expenditures. The software is a tremendous high-tech tool to plan strategically by analysing the data. It also ensures the safety of drivers by tracking them and analysing driving behaviour throughout the way.
The software helps monitor real-time situations dealing with urgent route changes, finding optimal routes and delivering the cargo in the minimum possible time.
Benefits of Route Optimisation:
Fleet business is at its peak, and route optimisation is key to competing in a competitive industry and standing at the top. Here is how route optimisation proving to be beneficial for fleet management company.
Enhancing workforce quality:
Drivers are content with route optimisation as it helps them avoid traffic jams and guides them on avoiding minimum unnecessary stops.
Reduce travel distance:
By finding optimised routes, the deliveries are made on time, and companies get to deliver more with fewer problems.
Cost-effective choice:
The optimised routes are cost-effective and sustainable choices by fleet management companies. It saves money on fuel and unnecessary travel expenses and helps reduce carbon print. On average, by opting for an optimised route, companies save around 20% to 40% on fuel.
Real-time tracking:
Using the latest route optimisation tools, fleet management businesses can track the deliveries, drivers and vehicles in real-time.
Mapping Process:
One of the features of route optimisation software is mapping. The businesses can now track the entire delivery process by using it.
Alerts and Reports:
Now, fleet management businesses can monitor every change in the routes through alerts and reports services of the latest optimisation software.
Analyse Data:
The latest software helps analyse the data from routes, drivers and vehicles to plan strategically for the future.
Tracking metrics:
The logistic operations can be improved by the received data. For instance, the fleet managers monitor the KPIs and develop enhanced solutions for business growth.
Let's wrap it up:
That's all for now! We hope you have a better understanding of route optimisation in fleet management and its benefits. The latest tech solutions have no doubt revolutionised fleet management businesses. It is helping to gain customer trust through efficient and effective deliveries and minimum road disasters.