Customize Route Optimization Settings
  • 03 May 2024
  • 6 Minutes to read
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Customize Route Optimization Settings

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Article summary

Once you have finalized your default optimization parameters in Bringg, you can create override settings that apply to specific teams or circumstances. 

For example, set a wider maximum radius for teams working in more expansive rural areas,  or create a set of optimizations with different traffic or route considerations to account for minimal resources amidst higher demand during the holiday season.

You can choose to duplicate existing optimization settings to make small variations, or create an entirely new set of configurations. 

Before You Begin

  • Confirm you have a user account of type Admin.
  • Work with your colleagues to develop a list of the various optimization scenarios for your company's use cases.
  • Contact your Bringg customer service representative to set up the initial optimization settings. Learn more.
  • Verify your default route optimization settings. Learn more.
  • Define the shifts and allocation of resources, by creating delivery blocks. Learn more.
  • Set up your delivery options with delivery slots. Learn more.
  • (Optional) Give the RO engine more vehicle details by configuring vehicle profiles and assigning them to your vehicles. Learn more.

Procedure

Step 1: Access the configuration settings page by selecting your username > Settings > Optimization Settings.


Access the optimization settings

 

Step 2: Open a new page of optimization settings.

To override the default settings for particular circumstances or teams, select Create Optimization Policy from the optimization settings summary menu. 

Tip
To create a new set of optimization settings based on existing override setting, select horizontal menu
icon_horizontal_menu(1) > Duplicate from the relevant setting in the optimization settings summary menu.  

 

Step 3: Distinguish the new optimization set from others by editing the name and description.


Name the optimization override setting

 

Step 4: Select the teams to whom you want to assign these settings.

Assign teams to apply this optimization

 

Tip
You can only assign a team to one override setting at a time.  If a team is already assigned to a different override setting, select Reassign next to the team name on the menu.


Step 5:  Adjust the settings as needed.  

For example, to save unforeseen costs, you can set your optimization to avoid toll roads.  

FieldDescription
Maintain consistencyWhen enabled, the optimization preserves a consistent solution each time.  Otherwise, it may offer you alternative optimal solutions to help you find the one that best suits your priorities.
Driver fairness
If enabled, this setting ensures equitable distribution among drivers with respect to the duration of each route (including ETOS).
Use all driversIf enabled, the optimization will prioritize assigning orders to all the drivers who are on shift and available instead of creating fewer routes.
Limit absolute orders on routeWhen enabled, the optimization engine understands the maximum number of orders allowed on a route as the total number allowed, not just the maximum allowed at any point along the route.
Consider capacity limitationsWhen enabled, the optimization considers the maximum handling units and weight capacity that the vehicle can transport at a time.
Max. order radiusThe aerial distance limit (km) of any route from the driver start location. The optimization excludes any order outside this radius.
Force delivery within the time window
Selecting this option means the ETA and estimated time on site (TOS) of an order's fulfillment cannot extend beyond the order's time window. For example, if an order that requires assembly has an ETOS of 30 minutes, RO will exclude it from a route if it will arrive within a half hour of the end of the time window.
Allow early/late arrivalWhen enabled, the optimization can schedule orders to arrive before their time window begins, or after it ends.  
Once enabled, define the Cost of arriving early/late according to the sliding scale.  The higher the cost, the more the optimization will try to avoid the situation. 
Max. route distanceThe maximum distance (km) that the optimization can assign to a route.
Initial loading/unloading time (minutes)The standard time (minutes) the optimization adds to the start or end of a delivery block to account for either loading or unloading the vehicle.
Squash time (minutes)
The time (minutes) added for every order after the first one, which is delivered to the same address and customer as the first.
For example, if you are sending two orders to Customer X, each with an independent estimated time on site (ETOS) of 15 minutes, and a squash time of 5 minutes, the total ETOS for both orders together is now 20 minutes instead of 30.
Exclude ferriesWhen enabled, the optimization will exclude routes requiring transport via ferry.  Use to avoid delays due to congestion at docks.
Exclude alleysWhen enabled, the optimization will not propose routes requiring travel through alleys.  Recommended if you use larger vehicles.
Avoid toll roads(Outside USA only) Indicate whether or not you want the optimization to avoid toll roads and thereby save costs.  
In the USA, this setting is automatically required.
When rerunning optimization: Preserve sequence or Reshuffle
Select which method to use when adding new orders to an already optimized route:  
  • Preserve sequence maintains the same order of priorities and inserts new orders where they slot into those priorities.
  • Reshuffle can change the priority of any of the orders now in the route .
Willingness to waitIndicate using the slider scale to what extent it is an issue for a driver to arrive ahead of schedule and need to wait before fulfilling the order. 
Default clustering level
The default rank you set for the route clustering process.   A higher rank means less often that drivers will crisscross with one another during a shift.
Default start/end locationSelect which option from the dropdown menu to set as the default start or end location of your routes.
Traffic variable
(Default traffic) The percent of added time to the route due to anticipated traffic.  
Not applicable for those using advanced traffic integration, or when traffic variables are applied to specific service areas. Learn more.
Allow the drivers to reloadSelecting this option gives drivers permission to complete multiple routes in one day by returning to the fulfillment center to pick up more orders.
Apply loading/unloading time to each routeIf enabled, the optimization will apply the initial loading/unloading time to each route.

Tip
You can revert to the original settings at any time by selecting Restore.  


Step 6: Preserve or erase your configuration by selecting Save or Discard

Choose whether to save your settings

Step 7: (Optional) Adjust saved optimization sets to adapt to changes in your business goals.  From the optimization settings summary menu, select the horizontal menuicon_horizontal_menu > Edit in the default setting's listing. 

For example, you may need to increase the default clustering level if you want each of your drivers to stay focused in their own geographic areas.


Step 8: (Optional)  Easily find saved optimization sets using the filter and search bar.

For example,  find all the optimization sets assigned to a particular team.

Step 9: Apply your optimization settings.
Your RO configurations will be applied automatically to the relevant teams when building routes in Dispatch or Planning.  You can also use the Run Route Optimizer action in Automations. 

 


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