Truck Routing Software

["John McCarthy" <tsqjrmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To all,

A local business person has asked for assistance on a transportation
assignment issue that may also apply to local governments. He is
trying
to find a software package that would assist in the routing of
delivery
trucks. The characteristics of the truck routing assignment are:

1. Database information on Customer/Delivery location points, such as
GIS information.
2. Factual information about the Customers such as address, telephone,
special instructions.
3. The order information, quantity, description, product number, etc.
4. General vehicle information from cargo vans to Class B trucks
5. An optimization routine for X number of stops for Y number of
trucks.
6. An output routine to print an itinerary and manifest and also with
directions at street level mapping.
7. The ability to make changes en route.

I have seen vendor demonstrations of such software for school bus
routing assignments and for rural transportation systems of the RTAP
program for the handicapped and elderly, but am not aware of many
applications of this software here in Alabama. We have also discussed
making such a package available to the RTAP service providers in
Alabama, but have not found a particular product or selected set of
products that meet the needs of these agencies. The same type of
information may apply to routing trucks in a pubic works department or
road department in response to work orders or in response to emergency
assistance calls during hurricanes and other natural disasters.

If you have seen these transportation assignment packages used in your
state, please let us know of the agency, its contact information and 
software package used, if possible. This search may also result in some

interesting case studies for T2 newsletters.

Thanks for your help,

John