Multi Trip

Documentation Index

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Multi Trip is a route optimization feature that allows vehicles to return to the hub for reloading before starting subsequent trips. This enables a single vehicle to complete multiple delivery routes within the same working period. By default, route optimization assigns a single trip per vehicle. With Multi Trip enabled, vehicles can complete their first trip, return to the hub to reload, and then start a new trip with additional visits. Key Characteristics:

• Allows vehicles to return to hub during working hours
• Enables multiple trips per vehicle in one working period
• Useful when visits exceed single vehicle capacity
• Automatically enables Return to Hub when activated

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Activate Multi Trip

To activate Multi Trip, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Routing/Configuration menu.
2. Check the “Multi Trip” checkbox.

Once enabled, the routing engine will allow vehicles to make multiple trips by returning to the hub for reloading between trips.

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How Multi Trip Works

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Without Multi Trip (Default Behavior)

Each vehicle is assigned a single continuous route:

1. Objective: Complete all assigned visits in one trip
2. Constraint: Limited by vehicle capacity
3. Result: Some visits may not be assigned if capacity is exceeded
4. Use case: When all visits fit within vehicle capacity

Example:

• Vehicle capacity: 20 packages
• Total visits: 35 packages
• Result: Vehicle 1 handles 20 packages, Vehicle 2 handles 15 packages

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With Multi Trip Enabled

Vehicles can make multiple trips:

1. Objective: Maximize visit completion with multiple trips
2. Flexibility: Return to hub for reloading
3. Result: Same vehicle can handle more visits across trips
4. Use case: When visits exceed single-trip capacity

Example:

• Vehicle capacity: 20 packages per trip
• Total visits: 35 packages
• Result: Vehicle 1 makes 2 trips (20 + 15 packages)

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Use Cases

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Use Case 1: High-Demand Days

Scenario: A delivery company has 50 deliveries but only 3 vehicles available, each with capacity for 20 deliveries. Configuration:

• Multi Trip: Enabled
• Return to Hub: Automatically enabled
• Vehicle capacity: 20 deliveries each

Result: Each vehicle makes 2 trips, completing all 50 deliveries with available fleet.

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Use Case 2: Perishable Goods

Scenario: Food delivery service needs to maintain product freshness by reducing time between pickup and delivery. Configuration:

• Multi Trip: Enabled
• Shorter routes per trip
• Frequent hub returns

Result: Multiple short trips ensure fresh delivery while maximizing vehicle utilization.

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Use Case 3: Mixed Load Types

Scenario: Logistics company handles different product types requiring separate trips (fragile, heavy, temperature-sensitive). Configuration:

• Multi Trip: Enabled
• Capacity constraints by product type
• Return to Hub for load switching

Result: Same vehicle handles different load types across multiple trips.

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Best Practices

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When to Use Multi Trip

✓ Use when:

• Total visits exceed single-trip vehicle capacity
• You want to maximize vehicle utilization
• Working hours are long enough for multiple trips
• Hub location is centrally positioned for efficient returns
• Cost of multiple trips is lower than adding more vehicles
• Visits are geographically clustered near the hub

✗ Avoid when:

• Visits fit comfortably in single-trip capacity
• Hub location is far from service area (high return cost)
• Working hours are too short for multiple trips
• Time windows don’t allow for hub returns
• Travel time to hub exceeds efficiency gains

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Combining with Other Features

Works well with:

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Relationship with Return to Hub

Multi Trip has a special relationship with Return to Hub: This dependency exists because multi-trip routing requires vehicles to return to the hub between trips.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many trips can a vehicle make? A: There’s no fixed limit. The optimization engine determines the optimal number of trips based on working hours, vehicle capacity, visit locations, and time constraints. Q: Does Multi Trip increase total distance? A: Yes, typically. Vehicles must return to the hub between trips, adding distance compared to a single continuous route. However, it may reduce overall fleet size needed. Q: Can I control the number of trips per vehicle? A: The optimization engine automatically determines the optimal number of trips. You can influence this through capacity constraints and working hours. Q: Does Multi Trip work with time windows? A: Yes, the engine respects visit time windows when planning multiple trips. Trips are sequenced to meet time window constraints. Q: Will all vehicles make multiple trips? A: Not necessarily. The engine optimizes trip distribution across vehicles based on capacity, location, and time constraints. Some vehicles may have single trips while others have multiple. Q: How does this affect driver working hours? A: The optimization respects configured working hours. All trips, including hub returns, must fit within the vehicle’s working time.

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Related Documentation

• Route Optimization Configuration Introduction
• Use All Vehicle
• Capacity Constraint
• Clustering