Route Optimizers: The Path to Railway Efficiency

By @dM1nBlog
While trains may be one of the oldest modes of transport, railway innovation has adapted to modern times, and that’s why today, railways remain a highly viable option for moving both goods and passengers. With the resurgence of railway routes on both national and international levels, new needs have emerged to optimize operational management, improve logistics, and reduce costs and time. This is where route optimizers come into play.

Before diving deeper, what exactly are route optimizers? They are software tools designed to plan routes by considering factors such as distance, time, traffic, vehicle capacity, and more. They can be used by large companies or individuals to find the most efficient path (much like what you do when using Google Maps or Waze to reach your destination).

Of course, route optimizers created for businesses are far more complex than those designed for personal use. They are capable of scheduling routes for organizing and delivering goods, taking into account all the locations that need to be reached. In the case of railways, even more planning is required due to the limitations of the tracks. Today, route optimizers are able to learn autonomously, generating routes based on the traffic history of the machinery. This information, combined with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, is integrated with real-time tracking to achieve 100% visibility of the entire process.

Currently, tech companies are focusing on providing the railway industry with the same services that are already available to road transport. Thanks to route optimizers, a company can benefit from:

  • Safety: Knowing where the train is at any given moment helps prevent thefts and quickly alerts to accidents or mechanical issues.
  • Energy Efficiency: Less energy or fuel is always required when route optimizers choose the best path.
  • Sustainability: Closely related to the previous point, energy efficiency benefits not only the transport company but also the environment by reducing CO2 emissions. It eliminates unnecessary long distances that would keep the train running for extended periods.
  • Time and Cost Reduction: With automatically updated algorithms, time calculations are very precise. Route optimizers allow you to know the exact delivery time, enabling pre-planning. This eliminates delays that often lead to financial penalties or harm the company’s reputation.

Overall, route optimizers enhance operations as much as possible, which in turn contributes to customer satisfaction.

What to Consider When Choosing a Route Optimizer

When learning about the main route optimizers on the market, you may hear about one or two as the best options. However, this doesn’t mean that “the best” is the ideal fit for your business. Consider your specific needs and choose one that addresses most (if not all) of them.

It’s also crucial that if your team lacks specialized training in these technologies, you opt for an intuitive application that can be easily learned. Many route optimizers offer free trials, so take advantage of these and test them until you find the right one.

Finally, platforms that adapt to changes are the most reliable. Your company may grow or experience unexpected changes, so choose an application that can evolve, offers good customer support, and ideally integrates with the digital tools you already have.

Top Route Optimizers

To get more familiar with the subject, start by exploring some of the top route optimizers in the current business landscape:

  • Route4me: One of the pioneering software in the market. It can be scaled up to ten drivers and has complex, multi-functional tools, making it adaptable to various types of businesses. However, its costs are higher, as it’s designed for larger teams.
  • AntsRoute: Easy to learn and focused on sustainability and environmental care when planning routes. Its customer service is available in several languages.
  • Smartmonkey: This software stands out for how easy it is to modify routes, its user-friendliness, and customer service. It’s compatible with sending plans to drivers via apps like WhatsApp or Gmail and allows for detailed delivery tracking.
  • Route XL: A straightforward solution that gets the job done. You just need to input the starting location and all the destinations, and it will calculate the best route. This plan can be printed or integrated into a navigation app, though it’s not available for smartphones. One major benefit is that it offers a free version with up to twenty delivery points.
  • Tookan: Very popular among online stores, offering more functions than simple route optimizers. It includes customer forms, chats, fleet management, and email analysis. Though it’s more costly, it’s adaptable to various business models.

By 2023, the global route optimizer market is expected to exceed nine million dollars. If delivery planning is still an issue for your company, or if you recognize areas of opportunity for achieving maximum efficiency, what are you waiting for to innovate with this type of software?

Contact Track Speq to learn more about route optimizers and their implementation in the railway industry.

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