Route Planner

Fleet Route Planners Guide

Most fleets have one goal in common: they want to get from “A” to “B” as quickly as possible. One way to achieve this goal is through route planning.

However, to be truly effective in how you plan to travel then you need to take into account much more than simply the distance between two points: factors such as the traffic on the roads and the number of traffic lights on a route can also influence the time it takes to reach a location. So to help us take a more effective approach, there is now a host of free route planners and route planner software available.

What are route planners?

Route planners are designed to help you get from one location to another in the most efficient manner possible.

There are a host of free online route planners available: such as AA Route Planner and RAC Route Planner. They allow you to enter the information of your starting point and end point: while also taking into account any stops that you wish to make along the way. They can then provide information on the distances your drivers will need to travel; and the shortest routes between these locations, as well as driving directions.

Couldn’t you just use a satellite navigation system?

Certainly, satellite navigation has taken away a lot of the hassle of route planning as these systems can quickly show you how to get from one location to another, while talking you through the driving directions while you are on the road: even suggesting alternatives and putting you back on track in the event that you take a wrong turn.

While satellite navigation is unquestionably advantageous, and is becoming more and more sophisticated, it does still have its issues. For one, the most advanced systems are generally quite expensive and fitting out a large fleet of vehicles with these systems could involve a significant investment. They are also often targeted by thieves: and so leaving them inside a vehicle could see your fleet at risk, as well as potentially causing an increase to your fleet insurance premiums.

What about route planner software?

Route planning software is designed to take route planning to a more sophisticated level for a fleet: helping you to create an integrated approach towards route planning that should ultimately lead to business savings.

- Trip optimisation and scheduling: With the right route planner software you should be able to optimise trips and scheduling: such as fitting in several deliveries in one trip if it is cost efficient to do so. This is known as geographic cost profiling and strategic routing and could lead to significant fuel savings by reducing journey times.

- Driver needs: In most cases, route planner software will also factor in details such as driver scheduling and ensuring that the driver takes the correct amount of breaks while still reaching the destination on time.

- Detailed mapping: Most route planners will outline clear maps that show routes along with delivery points, collection points, manufacturing sites, and even where your drivers can stop for refuelling, etc.

- Integration: You may be able to integrate the route planner software with warehouse or manufacturing activity.

- Traffic information: Some route planners make use of GPS tracking to keep you up to date on traffic congestion and suggesting alternative routes where necessary.

- Report generation: With fleet route planner software it should be easier to keep track of your vehicles including monitoring their performance, as well as the performance of their drivers so that you can potentially suggest more cost effective driving behaviour.