You've created a waste calendar. It is clear at which addresses and on which day collection must take place. The next step? Make everything workable for the team of planners and drivers. How should the new or modified routes be driven?
This blog will take you through the management of waste collection routes: a job that is never completely finished. It takes a lot of time, and it is difficult to do it right. In practice, it appears that constant adjustments to routes are needed. We believe it is time for a new look at collection routes management and driver guidance.
Before we tell you what you can do differently, let's look at how we often do it now (and how it works with Jewel). What are we up against?
Fixed routes. There is a good chance that you use fixed routes for your areas. The correct route is determined in advance, after which the driver follows it outside. But who decides what a good route is? The work planner, the planner or the driver?
Time-consuming process. When you have decided who will determine the routes, you run into a new issue. Digitizing routes takes a lot of time: routes have to be discussed, signed in, tested and only then are they made final. This process is repeated for every route, and there are quite a few with different factors.
Management also takes a lot of effort. Every change, such as new connections due to building construction, roadworks and changes in the layout of streets, requires adjustments to the routes - a constant process that takes time. Changing digitized routes means less flexibility.
Critical drivers. For entirely new routes, drivers use the route guidance, but as soon as a driver knows the route, the tablet with route navigation will be used less. Any adjustments made later will not reach the driver. In practice, we see that route navigation is often used for new or temporary drivers who are not familiar with the routes.
Problems along the way. Software can do a lot for you, but in exceptional circumstances, people are better able to make the right choices themselves. If a road is closed, for example, a driver on the ground is much better able to find a good alternative route and determine what should be done with any inaccessible locations. If a driver is delayed or cannot continue with the execution, the driver must report this by telephone, and a colleague must take over the work on that basis. Coordinating it is a big job.
No interaction and insight. In Jewel's route navigation, the progress of the route is not continuously visible. The driver does not immediately see how far he is, but this is also not visible in the office. This makes it difficult for the planner to look ahead and coordinate. Collaboration between drivers and the planners/team leaders is therefore limited.
We have mentioned several pain points of current route navigation and driver guidance. In searching for an efficient and easy solution for the user, we came across Area Collection. A different approach with new possibilities. What does that look like?
More insight, fewer complaints from members of the public and above all: satisfied drivers who are keen to have this solution available. Curious about all the possibilities of our new application? We'll tell you more in our product sheet!