· 1 min read
Route Optimization for Small Delivery Fleets: A Practical Guide
How small delivery fleets can approach route optimization: the problem, the constraints, the data you need and how to roll it out step by step.
Large carriers have routing teams and enterprise software. Small fleets have a dispatcher, a spreadsheet and a deadline. The good news is that the core problem is the same, and the approach can be much lighter.
Define the problem precisely
Write down what a "good" plan means for you. Common objectives:
- Fewer total kilometers or miles
- Shorter total drive time
- Fewer vehicles needed on a given day
- All time windows respected
Your priorities determine how the optimizer should weigh these goals.
Gather the minimum data
- Stops with complete addresses
- Load per stop and vehicle capacity
- Service time per stop
- Time windows where customers have them
- Depot location and shift limits
Know your constraints
Hard constraints (capacity, time windows) must be respected. Soft preferences (keeping a driver in a familiar area) can be handled by reviewing and adjusting the proposed plan.
Roll out gradually
- Take one past day and optimize it.
- Compare with what actually happened.
- Run a few live days in parallel with your manual plan.
- Switch over once your dispatcher trusts the output.
What to avoid
- Optimizing before validating data
- Expecting software to know local knowledge (a blocked street, a difficult dock)
- Measuring only distance when time windows are what hurt you
Learn how delivery route planning works in AIRO, and see the full feature list.
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