Multiple Drivers Route Optimization

Next, select one of the preferred route data import methods (Interactive Map Editor, Copy-and-Paste, Upload a File, Import Data, or Upload Scan(s)).

After that, adjust the following route optimization settings:

1. Go to the “Optimization” tab;
2. Select the “Multiple Drivers Route” optimization type so that the system can automatically plan and optimize more than one route if needed;
3. Choose where to end the route(s) after the last stop is visited and serviced:
   • End route at any address: The system automatically chooses the most efficient and optimal stop for ending each route;
   • End route at Departure address (Roundtrip): Each route ends at the same stop/address where it starts;
   • End route at last address: The route ends at the stop that matches the last stop in the uploaded route file/spreadsheet (only for the Single Driver Route optimization).

Next, use the corresponding fields for defining the maximum number of routes that can be created from the imported addresses and the maximum time duration for each route. The “Maximum Number of Routes/Vehicles” constraint determines the maximum number of routes that can be planned from the imported addresses, and the “Maximum Route Duration” constraint determines how long each route is allowed to last. When the “Maximum Route Duration” constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created.

When you have the Multiple Drivers Route optimization enabled on your account, you can also use other advanced constraints that give you extra layers of control over your routes:

• Maximum Distance per Vehicle or Route: Allows to define the maximum distance that each planned route should not exceed. When the maximum distance constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created;
• Maximum Pieces per Route: Allows to define the maximum number of pieces/items that each planned route should not exceed. When the maximum pieces constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created;
• Maximum Weight per Route: Allows to define the maximum cargo weight that each planned route should not exceed. When the maximum weight constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created;
• Maximum Volume per Route: Allows to define the maximum cubic volume that each planned route should not exceed. When the maximum weight constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created;
• Maximum Revenue per Route: Allows to define the maximum amount of revenue that is expected to be generated from one planned route. When the maximum revenue constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created;
• Maximum Stops per Route: Allows to define the maximum number of customers’ locations that can be visited and serviced per one driver route. When the maximum stops constraint of one route is exceeded, one or multiple new routes are automatically created.

After selecting and adjusting the Multiple Drivers Route optimization, specify the rest of the route parameters to your preference and then click on the “Create Route and Proceed to Add Addresses” button.

Next, import the route addresses using one of the previously selected methods. When importing a spreadsheet with route data, for it to be successfully processed, the spreadsheet must contain a header row and data rows. The header defines the type of information you are importing, while the corresponding data rows contain the actual information/values that you import into the system. Besides the obligatory “Address” column, you can also include other data columns.

In the “Verify Addresses on Map” window, you can view all imported and processed addresses on the map, as well as check their geocoding statuses. Green colored dots indicate that the corresponding addresses were successfully geocoded with “High Confidence“. Addresses that have yellow colored dots next to them should be reviewed and fixed accordingly.

If none of the optimization constraints are exceeded, the system plans a single route with all imported addresses. Once the route is planned, it is optimized and then opened in the Route Editor where you can modify it, as well as added to the Routes List with all your routes.

If the “Maximum Route Duration” constraint of one route is exceeded, the system plans one or multiple new routes. When multiple routes are planned, then they are automatically opened in the Routes Map. When the system plans multiple routes, each route is suffixed with its corresponding progression “Part” number next to the original name of the route.

Once you planned multiple routes, you can start assigning users and vehicles to them. To do so, click on the gear icon next to a particular route and then select the preferred option from the list.

When the applied “Maximum Number of Routes/Vehicles” constraint is exceeded, the system automatically plans one or multiple “Unrouted Destinations” routes. The “Unrouted Destinations” routes contain the stops that did not fit into the planned routes due to the exceeded optimization constraints. When you have one or multiple “Unrouted Destinations” routes, you can use the timeline in the Routes Map for moving stops between different routes.

Route4Me’s Routes Map allows you to move stops from one route to another using the interactive timeline that operates in real time. To do so, click and hold on a particular stop from one route and then drag it to the preferred sequence position on another route. Thus, whenever you have stops that did not fit into planned routes due to the exceeded optimization constraints, you can always manually distribute them to different routes in a fast and effortless manner.