VEHICLE LOGISTICS & FLEET MANGEMENT ON THE RIGHT TRACK
For logistics businesses, utilising route planning and optimisation tools can be the difference between having a satisfied customer or not. And whilst maximising volume density, reducing miles travelled and fuel costs are the most immediate and desired outcomes, the primary goal of optimisation is to improve overall fleet efficiency and achieve customer service objectives.
“Routes can consider threats to driver safety, for example, by avoiding known high risk roads especially for late night shifts at peak season.”
A core element of this process is also optimising the driver experience. Recruiting and retaining drivers remains a perennial problem for logistics companies and, with experienced drivers able to deliver upwards of 50% more parcels than newcomers, companies can achieve further improvements in efficiency and customer satisfaction by actively exploring ways to improve driver confidence, compliance, safety and retention.
Significant efficiency gains Any form delivery is a stressful occupation. From traffic events and weather to customer expectations and fears regarding safety, navigating unfamiliar roads to deliver upwards of 150 parcels in one shift is a challenge. With the ever increasingly ecommerce-fuelled demand, managing, planning and altering these complex driver routes manually is time-intensive and inefficient for logistics companies and hugely frustrating for drivers.
Logistics companies are using increasingly sophisticated route optimisation technology that moves beyond simply reducing travel distances. It also includes factors such as capacity and driver availability, staying ahead or being able to anticipate traffic disruptions, prioritising higher margin first-time
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Andrew Nowell, Director at Trimble, explores the power of route optimisation to future-proof operations, gain a competitive edge, and pave the way for sustainable growth.
deliveries and optimising routes for maximum fleet and driver efficiency.
This model is enabling parcel companies to be a lot more efficient than five years ago, significantly reducing the cost to serve and improving customer satisfaction. There is, however, a balance to strike between squeezing more efficiency from drivers and creating a job that is simply not sustainable. With the continued pressure on driver recruitment and retention, logistics companies are now exploring the value of optimising for both route efficiency and driver experience.
Driving experience Onboarding a new driver takes time and money. New drivers take time to learn a new area and become productive. Whether it is recruiting temporary staff to
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