HERE Tour Planning ‘combines AI-powered predictive intelligence with EV-ready optimisation in a single, integrated planning tool,’ as the company states. The challenge: logistics providers must already contend with higher traffic volumes, tight delivery windows, and staff shortages. The ongoing electrification of vehicle fleets adds another layer of complexity to precise route planning.
With its recently announced improvements, HERE aims to enhance ‘planning accuracy, adherence to regulations and navigating dynamic delivery environments’ for its customers, according to the company. A key feature is the ‘EV Planning’ function, which, based on internal tests, ‘can deliver up to 20% better planning and routing of electric vehicles.’
The route planning incorporates factors such as ‘learning each vehicle’s unique operating profile, including battery range characteristics and other vehicle specifications that impact performance.’ It also accounts for private charging points owned by companies or provides intelligent recommendations for public charging stations. Additionally, HERE’s ‘physical consumption model’ is designed to calculate the actual range more accurately than ‘broad assumptions,’ promising up to 15% better estimated times of arrival (ETAs).
For time-based variables, HERE uses an AI-supported forecast. This enables dynamic route planning that accounts for temporary road closures or traffic jams, as well as ensuring ‘compliance with time-restrictions.’ This includes time-based access restrictions, such as when delivery vehicles may only enter a pedestrian zone until 10 AM or when other restricted delivery windows must be considered.
“Static route planning doesn’t reflect the reality fleets face today,” said Bart Coppelmans, Senior Director of Product Management atHERE Technologies. “With new variables emerging, increasing complexity and electric vehicles becoming part of daily operations, logistics providers need richer features that tailor optimization to their specific business metrics, KPIs and SLAs.”
