Load Planning System Optimizes Shipping Routes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shipping practices require packages to be sorted at multiple hubs, leading to delays and increased costs due to the need for processing and sorting at each hub, which can be optimized by identifying routes that bypass regional shipping hubs.
Innovation Solution
A load planning system that simulates various shipping routes to identify direct or more direct shipments by analyzing historical shipping data and package routing plans, allowing shippers to fill entire vehicles and thereby bypass sorting processes at intermediate hubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If packages are sorted at every hub through which they travel, then routing accuracy is improved, but shipping time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sorting function from intermediate hubs for qualified direct shipments. By identifying shipments that meet specific criteria (origin-destination pairs with sufficient volume, direct vehicle availability), the system removes the need for intermediate sorting stops, allowing packages to travel directly from origin to destination hub, thus reducing shipping time while maintaining routing accuracy through selective application of the sorting process only where necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sorting frequency from 'at every hub' to 'at origin and destination hubs only' for direct shipments. This parameter change is applied selectively based on shipment qualification criteria, transforming the routing process from universal multi-hub sorting to optimized direct routing for eligible shipments, thereby reducing time loss without compromising routing precision
2Measurement precision
If packages are sorted at every hub through which they travel, then routing accuracy is improved, but shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sorting function from intermediate hubs for qualified direct shipments, eliminating the need for repeated handling and sorting operations. By removing intermediate sorting stops for eligible shipments, the system reduces fuel consumption, labor costs, and facility usage fees associated with hub processing, thereby lowering overall shipping costs while maintaining accurate routing through strategic origin-destination direct connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sorting frequency parameter from universal application to selective application based on shipment qualifications. This parameter modification reduces the total number of sorting operations performed across the network, directly decreasing energy consumption and operational costs while preserving routing accuracy for direct shipments that meet volume and destination criteria
3Loss of time
If direct shipments are implemented to bypass intermediate hubs, then shipping time is reduced, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and pre-qualifying direct shipment routes based on origin-destination pairs, historical volume data, and vehicle availability. The system proactively determines which shipments qualify for direct routing before they enter the network, allowing planning systems to optimize routes in advance and execute direct shipments without complex real-time decision-making during transit, thus reducing shipping time while managing routing complexity through upfront analysis
4Loss of energy
If direct shipments are implemented to bypass intermediate hubs, then shipping costs are reduced, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action to pre-calculate and pre-identify cost-effective direct shipment routes by analyzing origin-destination pairs, shipment volumes, and hub processing costs. The system determines qualified direct routes in advance based on economic criteria, allowing planning systems to select optimal routes before shipments are dispatched. This approach reduces shipping costs through efficient route selection while managing routing complexity through proactive, data-driven route qualification rather than complex real-time routing decisions
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, a load planning system is provided for simulating shipments based on a shipping entity's planned routing of packages and a shipper's (e.g., shipping entity customer) historical shipping volume. By using the load planning system to simulate shipments according to a variety of package routing plans, a user of the load planning system may identify shipping routes along which certain shipments may by-pass the sorting process of regional shipping hubs. These by-passing routes allow the shipping entity to provide the shipper with more efficient and less costly shipping options according to various embodiments.