Multiple Depots Route Optimization Constraint

The multi depot vehicle routing problem is one of the most difficult and complex route optimization problems that logistics professionals have to solve. Even when you are planning a relatively simple multi stop route that only involves one depot or warehouse, you still need to account for multiple parameters and factors. Planning multi depot routes requires going through countless possible scenarios before you can determine which addresses should go into which routes and then determine the most efficient stops sequence for each of those routes. Route4Me’s Multiple Depot Add-On computes billions of possible scenarios for you, allowing you to effortlessly plan and optimize multi depot routes in a matter of seconds. All you need to do is plug in the locations of your depots together with the locations of your customers and then Route4Me’s dynamic routing software will produce the predefined number of efficiently optimized and optimally sized routes that will help you to save time, lower fuel expenses, and keep your customers satisfied.

To plan multi depot routes, first, go to Plan New Route from the navigation menu.

Next, select one of the preferred route data import methods (Upload a File or Import Data).

After that, adjust the following route optimization settings:

1. Go to the Optimization tab;
2. Select the preferred optimization type (Multiple Drivers Route, Disable Optimization or Balanced Team Route);
3. Choose where to end the multi depot routes after the last stop on each route 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).

After that, specify the rest of the route’s parameters to your preference and then click on the Create Route and Proceed to Add Addresses button.

Routes with Multiple Depots and No Address Distribution Constraints

After adjusting the route’s settings, import the route’s addresses using one of the previously selected methods. To plan multi depot routes and no address distribution constraints, besides the obligatory Address column, insert the Depot column into the route data spreadsheet. In the Depot column, mark the addresses that you want to set up as depots with 1 and the addresses that you want to set up as regular stops with o (1 = depot; 0 = regular stop). Use the Alias column to name the depots accordingly so that it is easier to differentiate them from regular stops.

Once you uploaded the spreadsheet, Route4Me processes the imported data and displays it in the corresponding window. After that, make sure that all columns contain the right data. The addresses that you want to be set up as depots should be marked as Yes in the Depot column. For the system to process the data automatically, select the Auto (attempt detection) option respectively. Alternatively, you can manually match column titles to the data contained in the corresponding columns. To proceed, click on the Continue to Review button.

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. All depots are displayed as the corresponding icons on the map.

After the geocoding process, the system will plan and optimize the same number of routes as the number of depots defined in the imported route data file/spreadsheet. When planning routes with multiple depots and no address distribution constraints, the system automatically assigns the most optimal addresses to the most optimal routes that start from the defined depots. When multiple routes are planned, then they are opened in the Routes Map and each route is suffixed with its corresponding progression Part number next to the original name of the route.

Routes with Multiple Depots and a Predefined Distribution of Addresses per Depot

To plan multi depot routes and a predefined distribution of addresses per depot, besides the obligatory Address column, insert the Depot and Route columns into the route data spreadsheet. In the Depot column, mark the addresses that you want to set up as depots with 1 and the addresses that you want to set up as regular stops with o (1 = depot; 0 = regular stop). Use the Route column to assign each address to a particular route that will start from its corresponding depot. For example, all addresses that are marked as 1 in the Route column will be included into the route that is marked as 1.

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. All depots are displayed as the corresponding icons on the map.

After the geocoding process, the system will plan and optimize the same number of routes as the number of depots defined in the imported route data file/spreadsheet. When planning multi depot routes and a predefined distribution of addresses per depot, the system optimizes each route so that it starts from its pre-defined depot and follows with the most optimal sequence of stops. When multiple routes are planned, then they are opened in the Routes Map and each route is suffixed with its corresponding progression Original Route number next to the original name of the route.

Routes with Multiple Depots and a Predefined Distribution and Sequence of Addresses

To plan routes with multiple depots and a predefined distribution and sequence of addresses, besides the obligatory Address column, insert the Depot, Route, and Sequence_no columns into the route data spreadsheet. In the Depot column, mark the addresses that you want to set up as depots with 1 and the addresses that you want to set up as regular stops with o (1 = depot; 0 = regular stop). In the Route column, assign each address to a particular route that will start from its corresponding depot. For example, all addresses that are marked as 1 in the Route column will be included into the route that is marked as 1. Then, use the Sequence_no column to define the sequence position of each address in its route.

Once you uploaded the spreadsheet, Route4Me processes the imported data and displays it in the corresponding window. After that, make sure that all columns contain the right data. The addresses that you want to be set up as depots should be marked as Yes in the Depot column. The addresses that should be included into particular routes should be marked with those routes’ numbers in the Original Route ID column. The Sequence_no column should display the sequence position of each address/stop in its route. For the system to process the data automatically, select the Auto (attempt detection) option respectively. Alternatively, you can manually match column titles to the data contained in the corresponding columns. To proceed, click on the Continue to Review button.

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. All depots are displayed as the corresponding icons on the map.

After the geocoding process, the system will plan and optimize the same number of routes as the number of depots defined in the imported route data file/spreadsheet. When planning routes with multiple depots and a predefined distribution and sequence of addresses, the system optimizes each route so that it starts from its pre-defined depot and follows with the pre-defined sequence of stops. When multiple routes are planned, then they are opened on the Routes Map and each route is suffixed with its corresponding progression Original Route number next to the original name of the route.

Using the Timeline for Moving Stops Between Routes

Route4Me’s interactive timeline that operates in real time allows you to move stops from one route to another and instantly synchronize all changes across all associated devices. 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.