What Is Static Route Planning?

Delivery companies have to carefully plan routes to reduce delivery timelines and use less fuel. Many logistics routes aren’t fixed, so logistics companies have to optimize driver routes in real time based on many factors. Dynamic route planning has advantages, but static route planning is a simpler alternative for smaller delivery providers.

Static route planning is a more traditional way of planning routes where drivers follow a predetermined route. Fixed routes aren’t a fit for some businesses, but they do offer more reliability and simplicity. Learn what route planning is and how to maximize its value for your business.

In this article:

• What Is Static Route Planning?
• Static Route Planning Tips
• Remove The Friction From Static Routes
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Static Route Planning?

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With static route planning, drivers follow predetermined routes for all their pickups and deliveries, which stay the same over time. Businesses determine static routes based on delivery needs, traffic, and other logistical factors.

Unlike dynamic routes, static routes don’t require constant tweaking or changing based on real-time data. They usually remain the same until there’s a customer cancellation or another big change affecting the driver’s route.

Static route planning is a bit old-school, but it does have its benefits, including:

• Consistency and predictability: Both drivers and administrators appreciate the predictability of static routes. You always know which drivers are handling each route.
• Simplicity: These routes are very straightforward and easy to manage. Smaller companies are usually able to get away with static routes, which simplifies operations.
• Efficiency: Static routes might be locked in ahead of time, but they’re still much more efficient than asking drivers to plan their own routes.

Many businesses still use static route planning because it’s simple: you plan a route, and your team sticks to it. However, static planning can’t always keep up with the demands of modern delivery.

For example, static route planning might not be best if your business has inconsistent business or unpredictable order volumes. This approach has little room for flexibility or change, so this route planning method isn’t a fit for all businesses. However, you might be able to do static route planning if you make recurring deliveries to the same handful of clients.

With the Wise Systems delivery automation platform, you can plan routes the way it works for your business: static, dynamic, or hybrid. Book a demo to learn more!

Static Route Planning Tips

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1. Check Historical Data

Since static routes don’t change, you must choose the most effective routes for your team at the start. Data helps businesses plan optimized, low-cost delivery routes that get from point A to point B in the shortest time possible.

Check your historical data to see how traffic, bottlenecks, and customer orders affect delivery times. From there, you can create efficient, reliable routes for your team.

2. Use Route Planning Software

Static route plans might not need as many adjustments as dynamic routes, but they still benefit from route planning solutions like Wise Systems. Better utilize vehicle capacity, free up employees, and execute a custom strategy just for your business. Wise Systems has the chops to manage static, dynamic, and hybrid routing strategies, so we’ve got you covered, no matter your routing approach.

Request a demo today to learn how Route Planner from Wise Systems can streamline your routing processes.

3. Review and Adjust Routes

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Some leaders make the mistake of thinking static routes never change, and that isn’t true. While they stay the same most of the time, static routes should change to reflect today’s traffic patterns, road conditions, and delivery schedules. Review your routes at least every two months to ensure they make sense for your business.

4. Consider Customer Feedback

Not sure if your static routes are working? Ask customers for feedback on the delivery process. From delays to miscommunications, the last-mile delivery process is no picnic. Understanding customer preferences will help you refine routes and schedules to better meet their needs.

5. Account for Vehicle Capacity

There’s nothing more frustrating than planning a route only to discover that the truck is too small to fit everything for that planned route. Since customer demand should be relatively steady, understanding each vehicle’s capacity is important to ensure it matches the assigned route. Otherwise, your drivers will have to make multiple trips, and those fuel costs add up over time.

Route planning is made easy with the Wise Systems delivery automation platform. Book a demo to discover our suite of powerful tools for every stage of the delivery process.

Remove The Friction From Static Routes

Check out our latest Feature Spotlight and learn how you can use our Route Planner app to build cost-effective routes and maximize fleet efficiency. Learn more here! https://t.co/PXR9se6pbl pic.twitter.com/GK8yEQzx2B

— Wise Systems (@goWiseSystems) March 29, 2023

While it might not fit every scenario, static route planning is a simplified way to plan routes for businesses with predictable demand. Even so, there are a few ways to optimize static routes. Follow the tips in this guide to create effective static routes that streamline your operations.

If the historical data is too overwhelming to process manually, plug everything into Wise Systems. Our strategic route planning tool makes it a cinch to account for traffic, historical data, customer demand, truck capacity, and much more. Request a demo today to see our route planning solution in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between static and dynamic route planning?

Static route planning involves creating fixed routes that don’t change frequently, while dynamic route planning adjusts routes in real-time based on current conditions like traffic and weather.

When is static route planning better than dynamic route planning?

Dynamic route planning is much more complex and requires real-time processing. Not all businesses have those capabilities, so static route planning could be the better option for companies looking for a more straightforward option. Static route planning works well for businesses with stable delivery patterns and predictable demand.

How often should static routes be reviewed and adjusted?

Businesses should review their static routes every two months, or whenever there’s a big change in delivery schedules, road conditions, or traffic. It’s also important to make changes based on driver or customer feedback.