November 2000

Twenty-three per cent of 600 respondents to a Freight Transport Association survey on computerised vehicle routing and scheduling said they were using such a system. Most of the users reported improvements in operating efficiency; half had improved their customer service; and 38 per cent had achieved fuel savings. By far the majority of the users (83 per cent) had adopted routing and scheduling for daily rather than periodic or strategic use.

The survey results are quoted in a new 28-page glossy A4 guide entitled Computerised Routing and Scheduling for Efficient Logistics, which has been published by the FTA on behalf of the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. The book gives a broad overview of the issues surrounding routing and scheduling systems, citing case-study material from six leading suppliers ­ Descartes (RoadShow), DPS (LogiX), Kingswood MapMechanics (TruckStops), Optrak, Paragon and PTV-Ordis. It cites numerous benefits from using a system, and concludes: "The harder the planning task, the greater the potential benefit." For copies of the guide, fax ETSU at Harwell on 01235 433066