LTL Shipment Consolidation via Multi-Segment Routing and Bid Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing logistics systems face challenges in efficiently matching transportation service providers with demand for Less than Truckload (LTL) shipments and other multi-segment transportation services, particularly due to limitations in data aggregation, time constraints, vehicle availability, and the lack of clear communication regarding driver consent for location tracking, which affects shipment tracking and profitability.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that aggregates bids from Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) based on specific demand, capacity, and scheduling, while ensuring compliance with time constraints and vehicle capabilities, and includes a mechanism for obtaining driver consent for location tracking through SMS or IVR systems to enhance shipment tracking and profitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional bid-based transportation arrangement is used, then TSPs can obtain shipments to maximize profit, but the matching efficiency between transportation supply and demand is limited due to network and method constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal transportation marketplace platform that serves multiple functions: bid aggregation, TSP matching, shipment tracking, and consent management. This multi-functional platform resolves the contradiction by providing a single system that handles various transportation arrangement tasks, improving efficiency while reducing the complexity of multiple separate networks and methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary marketplace platform that mediates between shippers and TSPs. This intermediary aggregates bids from multiple TSPs and matches them with shipment demands, resolving the network and method constraints by providing a centralized coordination mechanism that improves matching efficiency without requiring direct complex connections between all parties.
2Reliability
If broker services are used to accommodate TSP availability, then shipping can be arranged for available TSPs, but time constraints for pick-up and delivery may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by obtaining driver consent for location tracking in advance and continuously monitoring TSP availability before finalizing shipping arrangements. The system proactively checks TSP availability and matches shipments accordingly, ensuring both reliability of TSP availability and adherence to time constraints by making arrangements only when TSPs are actually available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through continuous location tracking of TSPs and real-time monitoring of their availability status. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust shipping arrangements based on actual TSP availability, ensuring that shipments are arranged only when TSPs can meet both availability and time constraint requirements.
3Loss of information
If shipment tracking is implemented without driver consent, then location information can be obtained for tracking, but driver privacy and communication issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by obtaining driver consent in advance before implementing location tracking. The system proactively seeks and records driver authorization through SMS or IVR communication, preventing privacy violations before they occur. This approach ensures that shipment tracking information can be obtained while simultaneously preventing the harmful effect of unauthorized privacy intrusion.
4Productivity
If LTL shipments are consolidated through traditional methods, then partial loads can be combined, but the process is complicated by multiple pick-ups and deliveries without clear hub identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by clearly identifying and designating specific hubs for LTL shipment consolidation and distribution. The system divides the complex consolidation process into distinct segments: pickup locations, consolidation hubs, distribution hubs, and delivery locations. This segmentation resolves the complexity by providing clear structural organization for multi-segment transportation services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hub intermediaries that mediate the consolidation process between multiple pick-ups and deliveries. These designated hubs serve as intermediary points where partial loads are aggregated and redistributed, simplifying the overall process by providing clear intermediate stops rather than direct point-to-point complex routing.
Data Source
AI summary
Transportation services are matched with demand, in multiple segments in accordance with capabilities and business practices of a transportation service provider. A request for transportation services is received, including an origin, destination and a characterization of a load or service. Origin and destination geographical areas or locations are identified, and a main line segment and at least one distinct segment are identified to form a contiguous multi-segment routing. A transportation service provider is matched to the specified demand for transportation services, in order to comply with the scheduled sequence. One or more competitive bids are aggregated to provide a total bid price and provision of the transportation services are arranged using the candidate service interests winning the bid or bids.