Summary
What - The feature introduces anchors, which are fixed arrival times on a trip that the system uses to calculate backwards. When a stop is marked as an anchor, Qargo automatically repositions all preceding stops based on driving durations to ensure the trip arrives at the anchored stop on time.
Why - Planners often work with fixed delivery or unloading times that cannot be moved. Previously, they had to manually look up driving times and adjust trip start times. This feature eliminates that manual work by automating backward route calculation.
How - Set an anchor using either the planning board right-click menu or the edit stop times modal. Qargo then recalculates the entire route backwards from that anchor point, adjusting all preceding stops accordingly.
Use Cases
Fixed delivery window planning: A delivery must arrive at a customer location by 14:00. Set that stop as the anchor, and Qargo calculates backwards to determine when the trip must start from the depot.
Time-critical unloading: A consignment must be unloaded at a specific time. Rather than manually calculating driving times, set the unloading stop as the anchor and let the system handle the sequencing.
Multiple-stop trips with fixed endpoints: When a trip has a fixed final arrival time (e.g., a cross-dock cutoff), set that stop as the anchor to ensure all earlier stops are timed correctly.
Terminology
Term | Definition |
Anchor | A stop on the planning board with a fixed arrival time from which the system calculates backwards |
Forward calculation | The standard route calculation method: from the first stop to the last |
Backward calculation | Route calculation from a fixed arrival time backwards to earlier stops |
Setting an Anchor on the Planning Board
RIGHT-CLICK any stop on the planning board and set the toggle to anchor the stop quickly.
Once the arrival time is set, Qargo immediately recalculates all preceding stops based on the driving durations between them, positioning them so the trip arrives at the anchored stop on time.
Using the Edit Stop Times Modal
OPEN the trip and select "Edit stop times". In the modal, two anchor options are available:
Anchor trip to this stop - Set a specific stop as the anchor with a manual arrival time. Qargo calculates backwards from this fixed time.
Anchor trip by time window - Use the stop's delivery time window (e.g., 13:00-15:00) as the anchor. The system uses the latest time in the window as the arrival target.
How the System Recalculates
When an anchor is set, Qargo:
Locks the anchored stop's arrival time
Uses the driving duration between stops to calculate backwards
Repositions all preceding stops based on those durations
Maintains the overall route sequence without re-ordering stops
The system does not re-sequence or reorder stops - it only adjusts their timings based on the backward calculation.
Viewing and Modifying the Anchor
The anchored stop is visually marked on the planning board. To modify or remove the anchor:
Adjust the anchor time - Right-click the anchored stop and select "Set arrival time" again to enter a new time
Clear the anchor - Right-click the anchored stop and select the option to remove the anchor.
Limitations
Anchors only affect preceding stops, not stops after the anchor point
If a stop has no valid driving duration to its predecessor, the system cannot recalculate and will show an error
Backward calculation respects working hours settings if they are configured for the resource
Troubleshooting
Problem | Solution |
Anchor time doesn't change the route | Confirm there are preceding stops with valid driving durations. If the anchor is the first stop, there is nothing to calculate backwards from. |
Error when setting anchor | Ensure all stops between the anchor and its predecessor have valid driving durations configured in the system. |
Expected times did not update | Refresh the page or close and reopen the trip detail to see the updated calculations. |