Navigating the Storm: How Route Optimization Can Help Mitigate Weather Impacts
Amreen Musani, Director, Technology Commercialization
December 16, 2024 | 3 Min. Read | Blog
Ever wish you had a crystal ball that could help predict weather accurately? So do logistics teams and probably every truck driver who has been stuck in unexpected weather conditions. From torrential downpours to blinding snowstorms, adverse weather conditions can compromise safety and significantly disrupt transportation schedules, leading to delays, and increased costs.
While we can’t control nature’s curveballs, smart routing gives logistics teams the power to control how we respond to them. With the rise of AI powered route optimization and simulation technology, organizations can more effectively navigate these disruptions and mitigate risk.
The impact of weather-related challenges
Adverse weather conditions can lead to blocked roads and slowdowns causing major disruptions in the supply chain and occasionally even missed deliveries. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, on high traffic volume roads, speed reduction can range from 10 to 25 percent on wet pavements and between 30 to 40 percent on snowy or slushy pavement. Additionally, on freeways, heavy rain or snow can decrease average speed by 3 to 16 percent going up to 40 percent in severe cases. When it comes to the trucking industry it’s estimated that between 2.2 billion to 2.5 billion dollars are lost annually due to weather related impact1.
Tackling weather challenges with AI driven Route Optimization
When faced with unpredictable weather, AI-powered route planning tools can help transform how companies manage logistics, factoring in conditions like heavy rain, snow and road closures to keep deliveries on track. Here’s how Walmart Commerce Technologies’ Route Optimization makes a difference:
Emergency Realignments:
With real-time route adjustments, planners can simulate new delivery routes and access inventory from alternate distribution centers to adapt to disruptions, considering factors like road closures, heavy rain, snowstorms and flooding.
Reliable ETAs:
Predictive algorithms offer more accurate delivery timelines despite delays, helping reduce customer frustration and improve fleet efficiency.
Mitigate Costs:
Re-routing can drive up fuel costs, however an advanced route planning platform can help minimize excess mileage, mitigate risk and optimize driver routes.
On-Demand Inventory Replenishment:
Weather can disrupt regular supply schedules, but Route Optimization enables “just-in-time” adjustments, facilitating quick and on the fly inventory replenishment from alternate locations.
Prioritize Drivers for Cold Chain:
Temperature sensitive products are at greater risk during extreme weather. Route Optimization helps planners to prioritize certain time sensitive deliveries to preserve product quality and maintain standards.
Route Optimization empowers logistics teams to take a proactive approach and tackle weather challenges head-on. By maintaining agility, saving time, enhancing service reliability, and mitigating costs, teams are better prepared to navigate any storm that comes their way. Ready to see how the same solution that drives Walmart’s transportation logistics can elevate your operations?
Schedule a demo today to connect with one of our logistics experts.
1. U.S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. “Road Weather Management Program.” September 2024
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