Introduction

The optimisation feature in Qargo is designed to automatically generate the most efficient routes for Groupage and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments. This process relies on various metrics to determine the optimal sequence of deliveries.

Benefits of Route Optimisation

Efficiency Improvements:

Automatically calculates the most efficient delivery sequences
Reduces total travel time and fuel consumption
Maximises vehicle capacity utilisation
Minimises operational costs through optimised routing

Automated Decision Making:

Eliminates manual route planning guesswork
Considers multiple variables simultaneously
Provides data-driven routing recommendations
Adapts to changing conditions and requirements

Optimisation tool options

Configured as part of the onboarding process, Qargo offers configuration options for optimisation tool. Options include:

HERE Maps
More Optimal
Optimize
PTV Optiflow

🧰 Configured by Qargo Admin, contact Qargo support if further assistance is required to verify or configure trip optimisation.

Key Metrics for Optimisation

1. Time Windows

Function: Determines delivery sequence priority based on customer time requirements

How It Works:

Orders with defined time windows are prioritised in the optimisation sequence
Algorithm ensures deliveries occur within specified time frames
Earlier time windows receive higher priority in route sequencing
Helps maintain customer service commitments

Configuration Requirement: Time windows must be defined in the order details for this metric to function

2. Weight Distribution

Function: Optimises load distribution considering shipment weight and vehicle capacity

Optimisation Factors:

Shipment Weight: Individual order weight requirements
Vehicle Payload: Maximum weight capacity of assigned vehicles
Load Balance: Ensures even weight distribution across the trip
Capacity Utilisation: Maximises payload efficiency without exceeding limits

Result: Prevents overloading while maximising vehicle capacity utilisation

3. Volume Optimisation

Function: Maximises space utilisation within vehicle cargo areas

Calculation Components:

Shipment Volume: Cubic space required for each order
Vehicle Volume Capacity: Maximum cargo space available
Space Efficiency: Optimises three-dimensional space utilisation
Load Configuration: Considers how items fit together in cargo space

Benefit: Ensures maximum cargo space utilisation for cost-effective transportation

4. Loading Meters

Function: Accommodates linear cargo space requirements

Considerations:

Order Loading Meters: Linear space required for each shipment
Vehicle Loading Capacity: Available linear loading space
Cargo Configuration: How items are arranged linearly in the vehicle
Space Allocation: Ensures proper accommodation for all cargo

Application: Particularly important for long or irregularly shaped cargo

5. Pallet Spaces

Function: Optimises pallet-based cargo organisation

Optimisation Elements:

Pallet Requirements: Number of pallet spaces needed per order
Vehicle Pallet Capacity: Maximum pallet spaces available in vehicle
Pallet Configuration: How pallets are arranged and secured
Space Efficiency: Maximises pallet space utilisation

Result: Ensures efficient pallet-based cargo management

Planning Considerations:

Group orders with similar time windows when possible
Consider geographic proximity when selecting orders for groupage
Balance vehicle capacity utilisation with delivery time requirements
Plan for contingencies and potential route modifications

Data Entry Requirements

To enable successful optimisation, it is imperative to fill in all the above metrics accurately in the order and in the vehicle capacity details(see: 👉Creating drivers/vehicles/containers).

‼️ Blank fields may hinder the system's ability to generate optimal routes.

The completeness of this information ensures that the calculations are performed effectively.

Important Note:

If any order is removed from a trip, it is essential to trigger the re-optimisation function.
- This allows dynamic adjustment of the remaining orders, and creates a new optimal route without the removed order.
The system includes error-handling mechanisms. If any required metric is missing or incomplete, the system will issue a warning, preventing the optimisation process until the necessary information is provided.

Applying Optimisation to Existing Trips

Step-by-Step Process

To optimise routes for existing trips:

Step 1: Navigate to Trip Details

Access the specific trip page you want to optimise
Scroll down to locate the Route Details section
Review current route configuration

Step 2: Initiate Optimisation

Click the Optimise Route button in the route details section
The system will automatically analyse current orders and constraints
Algorithm will calculate the most efficient route sequence

Step 3: Review Optimised Route

The route will be automatically adjusted for optimal efficiency
New sequence will be displayed in the route details
Manual adjustments can still be made if needed using the route editing features

Step 4: Implement Changes

Review the optimised route for accuracy
Make any necessary manual adjustments
Save the optimised route configuration

📚 Trips can still be manually adjusted - learn how HERE.

Creating Optimised Trips from Scratch

Use Case Scenario

When you have multiple trucks and orders that need to be planned in the most effective way, use the optimisation suggestions feature during trip creation.

Step-by-Step Optimisation Process

Step 1: Select Orders for Groupage

Navigate to the list of To Plan orders
Select multiple orders you want to include in your groupage shipment
Ensure all selected orders have complete metric information

Step 2: Initialise Trip Creation

Click Create New Trip after selecting orders
The trip creation interface will open with selected orders
Proceed to the optimisation configuration

Step 3: Access Optimisation Settings

Switch to the Optimisation page within the trip creation interface
This page provides access to all optimisation configuration options
Review available optimisation parameters

Step 4: Configure Start Parameters

Start Location: Set the departure point for the trip
Start Date: Define the trip start date
Start Time: Specify the departure time
Ensure all start parameters align with operational requirements

Step 5: Select Vehicle Resources

Choose from available vehicle resources based on your requirements:

Available Resource Types:

Resource Combinations with Trailers: Tractor-trailer combinations
Trailers: Standalone trailer units
Containers: Shipping container options
Vans: Delivery van configurations
Rigids: Rigid truck options

After selecting appropriate resources, click Next to generate optimisation suggestions

⚠️ The order of the stops can also be adjusted by dragging and dropping the lines before or after each other.

Step 6: Review Optimisation Suggestions

The system will generate route suggestions based on:
- Configured dates and time windows from orders
- Selected vehicle resources and their capacities
- All optimisation metrics (weight, volume, loading meters, pallet spaces)
Multiple route options may be presented for comparison
Each suggestion shows efficiency metrics and resource utilisation

⚠️ If you see a suggestion with no resources, it might mean that you are exceeding the limit of the resource or some information is missing and not matching with the requirements.

To see the reason you can hover over the field 'no resources' and see the message appearing:

Step 7: Finalise Trip Creation

Review Suggestions: Examine all optimisation suggestions and select the best option
Make Adjustments: Apply any necessary manual modifications to the route
Create Trip: Click Create Trip to finalise the optimised route
Trip Assignment: The system will generate a planned trip number
Resource Assignment: Assign specific drivers and tractors to the trip (if applicable)