Example: Cost-driven fleet optimization

AI-generated Key Takeaways

The Route Optimization API optimizes shipment completion order and vehicle assignments to minimize costs based on provided parameters.
Vehicle and shipment cost parameters should accurately reflect your business objectives to achieve desired optimization outcomes.
Prioritizing global solution time over individual vehicle route times can increase vehicle utilization, potentially leading to more vehicles being used.
The cost model enables trade-offs between overall solution time and individual vehicle travel time and distance.
Cost parameters should be grounded in real-world values to ensure the API aligns with your intended optimization goals.

This example shows how the number of vehicles used in a Route Optimization API solution can vary depending on how you define your cost parameters. By adjusting vehicle costs, you can influence whether the optimizer prioritizes minimizing the number of vehicles used or minimizing the total time it takes to complete all shipments.

For a complete conceptual overview, see the Cost model key concept.

Scenario 1: Minimizing vehicle operating costs

This scenario shows how the optimizer uses the minimum number of vehicles necessary to produce the most cost-effective solution when costs are tied to individual vehicles.

Example request

This request includes the following information:

Three shipments, each with a different penaltyCost: 100.0, 5.0, and 50.0.
Three identical vehicles, each with a costPerHour of 50.0 and a costPerKilometer of 10.0.

See an example request with multiple vehicles

{
  "model": {
    "globalStartTime": "2023-01-13T16:00:00-08:00",
    "globalEndTime": "2023-01-14T16:00:00-08:00",
    "shipments": [
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.789456,
              "longitude": -122.390192
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 100.0
      },
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.789116,
              "longitude": -122.395080
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 5.0
      },
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.795242,
              "longitude": -122.399347
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 50.0
      }
    ],
    "vehicles": [
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerHour": 50.0,
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      },
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerHour": 50.0,
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      },
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerHour": 50.0,
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      }
    ]
  }
}

Example response

Even though three vehicles were available, the optimizer assigns all the shipments to a single vehicle and skips one shipment. This is the cheapest solution since the cost of operating more than one vehicle is higher than delivering three shipments with one vehicle and skipping a shipment with a low skip penalty.

See a response to the request with multiple vehicles

{
  "routes": [
    {
      "vehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
      "vehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:28:22Z",
      "visits": [
        {
          "isPickup": true,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        },
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 2,
          "isPickup": true,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:02:30Z",
          "detour": "150s"
        },
        {
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:08:55Z",
          "detour": "150s"
        },
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 2,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:21:21Z",
          "detour": "572s"
        }
      ],
      "transitions": [
        {
          "travelDuration": "0s",
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "0s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "0s",
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "0s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:02:30Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "235s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 795,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "235s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:05:00Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "496s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 1893,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "496s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:13:05Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "171s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 665,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "171s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:25:31Z"
        }
      ],
      "metrics": {
        "performedShipmentCount": 2,
        "travelDuration": "902s",
        "waitDuration": "0s",
        "delayDuration": "0s",
        "breakDuration": "0s",
        "visitDuration": "800s",
        "totalDuration": "1702s",
        "travelDistanceMeters": 3353
      },
      "routeCosts": {
        "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 33.53,
        "model.vehicles.cost_per_hour": 23.638888888888889
      },
      "routeTotalCost": 57.168888888888887
    },
    {
      "vehicleIndex": 1
    },
    {
      "vehicleIndex": 2
    }
  ],
  "skippedShipments": [
    {
      "index": 1
    }
  ],
  "metrics": {
    "aggregatedRouteMetrics": {
      "performedShipmentCount": 2,
      "travelDuration": "902s",
      "waitDuration": "0s",
      "delayDuration": "0s",
      "breakDuration": "0s",
      "visitDuration": "800s",
      "totalDuration": "1702s",
      "travelDistanceMeters": 3353
    },
    "usedVehicleCount": 1,
    "earliestVehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
    "latestVehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:28:22Z",
    "totalCost": 62.168888888888887,
    "costs": {
      "model.vehicles.cost_per_hour": 23.638888888888889,
      "model.shipments.penalty_cost": 5,
      "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 33.53
    }
  }
}

The response contains the following relevant parameters:

The routes array contains three objects. The first describes the route for vehicle[0], while the next two only contain a vehicleIndex, indicating that vehicle[1] and vehicle[2] were not used.
The skippedShipments array shows that the shipment with index: 1, which had the lowest penaltyCost of 5.0, was skipped.
The metrics object confirms that the usedVehicleCount is 1.

Scenario 2: Minimizing overall solution time

This scenario shows how to encourage the use of more vehicles to complete all shipments more quickly. Do this by shifting the cost model from individual vehicle operating costs to a global cost that penalizes the total duration of the entire solution.

Example request

This request includes the following parameter changes from the first scenario:

Removes costPerHour on each vehicle.
Adds globalDurationCostPerHour of 150.0. This cost applies to the total time from when the first vehicle starts to when the last vehicle finishes its route.
Increase the penaltyCost for shipment[1] to 75.00 to reduce changes of it being skipped.

See an example request using `globalDurationCostPerHour`

{
  "model": {
    "globalStartTime": "2023-01-13T16:00:00-08:00",
    "globalEndTime": "2023-01-14T16:00:00-08:00",
    "globalDurationCostPerHour": 150.0,
    "shipments": [
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.789456,
              "longitude": -122.390192
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 100.0
      },
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.789116,
              "longitude": -122.395080
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 75.0
      },
      {
        "deliveries": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.795242,
              "longitude": -122.399347
            },
            "duration": "250s"
          }
        ],
        "pickups": [
          {
            "arrivalLocation": {
              "latitude": 37.794465,
              "longitude": -122.394839
            },
            "duration": "150s"
          }
        ],
        "penaltyCost": 50.0
      }
    ],
    "vehicles": [
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      },
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      },
      {
        "endLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "startLocation": {
          "latitude": 37.794465,
          "longitude": -122.394839
        },
        "costPerKilometer": 10.0
      }
    ]
  }
}

Example response

With the new global cost, the optimizer now uses all three vehicles to complete all three shipments. By running the routes in parallel, the total duration of the operation is significantly reduced, even though the combined travel distance is higher.

See a response to the request using `globalDurationCostPerHour`

{
  "routes": [
    {
      "vehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
      "vehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:16:20Z",
      "visits": [
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 2,
          "isPickup": true,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        },
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 2,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:09:19Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        }
      ],
      "transitions": [
        {
          "travelDuration": "0s",
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "0s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "409s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 1371,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "409s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:02:30Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "171s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 665,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "171s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:13:29Z"
        }
      ],
      "metrics": {
        "performedShipmentCount": 1,
        "travelDuration": "580s",
        "waitDuration": "0s",
        "delayDuration": "0s",
        "breakDuration": "0s",
        "visitDuration": "400s",
        "totalDuration": "980s",
        "travelDistanceMeters": 2036
      },
      "routeCosts": {
        "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 20.36
      },
      "routeTotalCost": 20.36
    },
    {
      "vehicleIndex": 1,
      "vehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
      "vehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:18:54Z",
      "visits": [
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 1,
          "isPickup": true,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        },
        {
          "shipmentIndex": 1,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:08:24Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        }
      ],
      "transitions": [
        {
          "travelDuration": "0s",
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "0s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "354s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 1192,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "354s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:02:30Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "380s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 1190,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "380s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:12:34Z"
        }
      ],
      "metrics": {
        "performedShipmentCount": 1,
        "travelDuration": "734s",
        "waitDuration": "0s",
        "delayDuration": "0s",
        "breakDuration": "0s",
        "visitDuration": "400s",
        "totalDuration": "1134s",
        "travelDistanceMeters": 2382
      },
      "routeCosts": {
        "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 23.82
      },
      "routeTotalCost": 23.82
    },
    {
      "vehicleIndex": 2,
      "vehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
      "vehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:16:14Z",
      "visits": [
        {
          "isPickup": true,
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        },
        {
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:06:25Z",
          "detour": "0s"
        }
      ],
      "transitions": [
        {
          "travelDuration": "0s",
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "0s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "235s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 795,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "235s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:02:30Z"
        },
        {
          "travelDuration": "339s",
          "travelDistanceMeters": 1276,
          "waitDuration": "0s",
          "totalDuration": "339s",
          "startTime": "2023-01-14T00:10:35Z"
        }
      ],
      "metrics": {
        "performedShipmentCount": 1,
        "travelDuration": "574s",
        "waitDuration": "0s",
        "delayDuration": "0s",
        "breakDuration": "0s",
        "visitDuration": "400s",
        "totalDuration": "974s",
        "travelDistanceMeters": 2071
      },
      "routeCosts": {
        "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 20.71
      },
      "routeTotalCost": 20.71
    }
  ],
  "metrics": {
    "aggregatedRouteMetrics": {
      "performedShipmentCount": 3,
      "travelDuration": "1888s",
      "waitDuration": "0s",
      "delayDuration": "0s",
      "breakDuration": "0s",
      "visitDuration": "1200s",
      "totalDuration": "3088s",
      "travelDistanceMeters": 6489
    },
    "usedVehicleCount": 3,
    "earliestVehicleStartTime": "2023-01-14T00:00:00Z",
    "latestVehicleEndTime": "2023-01-14T00:18:54Z",
    "totalCost": 112.14,
    "costs": {
      "model.vehicles.cost_per_kilometer": 64.89,
      "model.global_duration_cost_per_hour": 47.25
    }
  }
}

The response contains the following relevant fields:

The routes array now contains three fully-detailed routes, with each vehicle assigned one shipment.
The metrics.usedVehicleCount is now 3.
The overall solution time (from earliestVehicleStartTime to latestVehicleEndTime) is now only 18 minutes and 54 seconds, compared to 28 minutes and 22 seconds in the previous scenario.

Example: Cost-driven fleet optimization Stay organized with collections Save and categorize content based on your preferences.

AI-generated Key Takeaways

Scenario 1: Minimizing vehicle operating costs

Example request

See an example request with multiple vehicles

Example response

See a response to the request with multiple vehicles

Scenario 2: Minimizing overall solution time

Example request

See an example request using globalDurationCostPerHour

Example response

See a response to the request using globalDurationCostPerHour

Example: Cost-driven fleet optimization

See an example request using `globalDurationCostPerHour`

See a response to the request using `globalDurationCostPerHour`