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Route Management

Route Management in Dispatch helps you plan, optimize, and track delivery routes for efficient operations.

Overview​

What is Route Management?​

Route management involves:

  • Planning delivery sequences
  • Optimizing stop order
  • Tracking route progress
  • Managing route timelines

Benefits​

Effective route management:

  • Reduces delivery time
  • Lowers fuel costs
  • Improves customer satisfaction
  • Increases deliveries per day

Route Planning​

Creating Routes​

Build delivery routes:

  1. Select shipments for delivery
  2. View on map
  3. Arrange stop sequence
  4. Save route plan

Route Components​

A route includes:

  • Starting point (warehouse/depot)
  • Delivery stops in sequence
  • Ending point (return location)
  • Time estimates

Stop Sequencing​

Order your stops:

  • Drag and drop to reorder
  • Consider traffic patterns
  • Account for time windows
  • Optimize for efficiency

Route Visualization​

Map View​

See routes on a map:

  • All stops displayed
  • Route path drawn
  • Current progress shown
  • Click stops for details

Route Overview​

View route summary:

  • Total stops
  • Estimated duration
  • Total distance
  • Pending vs completed

Route Timeline​

Timeline View​

Access route timeline:

  1. Open the dispatch/route
  2. Go to Timeline tab
  3. View scheduled arrival times

Timeline Information​

Timeline shows:

  • Planned arrival at each stop
  • Time window requirements
  • Buffer between stops
  • Current progress

Timeline Updates​

Timeline updates with:

  • Actual arrival times
  • Delays and adjustments
  • Remaining estimate

Route Progress​

Real-Time Tracking​

Monitor route execution:

  • Current location
  • Next stop
  • Time to arrival
  • Completion status

Progress Indicators​

Track completion:

  • Stops completed
  • Stops remaining
  • On-time status
  • Exception alerts

Status Updates​

Drivers update status:

  • Arrived at stop
  • Delivery completed
  • Exception occurred
  • Departed location

Route Optimization​

Optimization Factors​

Consider when planning:

  • Geographic proximity
  • Time windows
  • Traffic patterns
  • Driver/vehicle capacity

Optimization Tips​

  1. Group by area - Cluster nearby deliveries
  2. Reduce backtracking - Logical flow
  3. Consider time - Rush hour avoidance
  4. Allow buffer - Account for delays

Route Modifications​

Adjusting Routes​

Modify routes during execution:

  • Add stops
  • Remove stops
  • Resequence stops
  • Update times

When to Modify​

Adjust routes for:

  • Customer requests
  • Traffic conditions
  • Driver feedback
  • Operational changes

Communication​

When modifying:

  • Notify driver
  • Update systems
  • Communicate with customers
  • Document changes

Route Completion​

Marking Complete​

When route is finished:

  1. All stops completed
  2. Return to depot
  3. Route marked complete
  4. Performance recorded

Partial Completion​

If not all stops complete:

  • Document exceptions
  • Reschedule remaining
  • Review reasons
  • Plan follow-up

Route Analytics​

Performance Metrics​

Measure route efficiency:

  • Planned vs actual time
  • Stops per hour
  • On-time delivery rate
  • Distance traveled

Historical Analysis​

Review past routes:

  • Compare similar routes
  • Identify patterns
  • Find improvements
  • Track trends

Route Comparison​

Compare routes:

  • By driver
  • By area
  • By time of day
  • By vehicle type

Route Templates​

Creating Templates​

Save common routes:

  1. Define standard route
  2. Save as template
  3. Reuse for similar days

Using Templates​

Apply route templates:

  1. Select template
  2. Adjust for current shipments
  3. Modify as needed
  4. Execute route

Best Practices​

Planning​

  1. Know your area - Understand delivery zones
  2. Consider constraints - Time windows, capacity
  3. Plan ahead - Prepare routes in advance
  4. Be flexible - Ready to adjust

Execution​

  1. Start on time - Begin routes as planned
  2. Communicate - Keep customers informed
  3. Update status - Record progress accurately
  4. Handle exceptions - Address issues promptly

Review​

  1. Analyze performance - Review metrics
  2. Get feedback - Learn from drivers
  3. Improve continuously - Refine planning
  4. Document learnings - Build knowledge base