How To: Route Optimization Using Map Zones. New at Logistics
by
Alisa Cvilij
August 01, 2024
Imagine working in a bustling city with numerous unscheduled deliveries across different areas and drivers waiting for their assigned routes. It may seem impossible to allocate addresses to drivers based on their locations manually, but with current logistics advancements, there is a solution, and Track-POD offers one. Our map zone feature automates delivery scheduling through the map zone creation and assignment process. You need to select the specific zones on the map with your cursor!
Keep reading to learn how to use map zones within the Track-POD platform.
How to use map zones using Track-POD
This blog article will review how to use the map zones feature for route optimization within the Track-POD platform.
The map zone selection consists of the 2 main aspects listed below:
1 - Setup. Create the desired zones on the map, name them, and assign zones to drivers.
2 - Order routing. Manual or automated routing feature to build routes within the zones.
To set up and learn the zone creation and assignment process inside Track-POD platform, follow the steps below:
1 - Setup.
Create the desired zones on the map, name them, and assign zones to drivers.
Create desired zones on the map.
Log in to Track-POD. Go to your map screen—click settings, and select the “zones” option on the right side of the screen, as presented in the screenshot below. Then click the “edit zones” option inside the same section. Use your mouse as a pencil to start selecting your zone. In this example, you will see the London map split by zones. Each dot requires a click to confirm and connect the selections.
- For your convenience, mark it with the desired color and name your new zone. See the screenshot below. Do not forget to click the “save” button inside the section.
- Also note that after you save the zone, you can add as many more zones as you desire and easily adjust the “markings” of the selected zone.
See the screenshot below so everything is stress-free!
Assigning zones to the drivers
After the zones have been successfully created, it is time to assign the zones. To assign each zone to your delivery drivers, go to the Driver Directory (click Directories -> Drivers) and start editing your driver details. When editing a driver, select the zones you need the driver to cover and click “Save” button. See the example below.
Please note - you can assign more than one zone to one driver.
Lastly, go to “routing and optimization” in the settings and ensure that the “match drivers and orders zone” option is enabled. 
Setup needs to be done only once!
2 - Order routing.
Manual or automated routing feature to build routes within the zones.
Start by enabling the “unscheduled orders” view on the map and selecting the zones you will work with.
Manual routing option
It is time to build a route! Select the unscheduled orders view within a certain zone. Then, add a route and drag and drop orders into the new route from the “unscheduled field.” Click the “Optimize” button, and you will see the route being built on the map. See the screenshot below.
In this case, the route was built for the orders within Zone 1.
Automated routing option
While in the “unscheduled orders” view, select applicable orders and zones and then click the “Routing” button!
Video guide
You can build zones using manual and automated routing by following our step-by-step video guide.
Benefits of the map zone feature for you and your team
- Routes can be planned with extra precision. You can add or eliminate any street, building, or territory from your selected zone.
- Map zones can help you eliminate the roads that are extra busy or closed during a particular time. Check this blog about map zones' usability and benefits during busy city events, such as the Paris Olympics 2024.
- You can assign routes based on zones you prioritize, city traffic, and drivers' preferences. For example, if you know that your driver lives in a busy center, has a small vehicle, and is mostly efficient in a certain territory, then select the zone and assign it to a driver. Moreover, more than 1 zone can be allocated to one driver; thus, drivers' day-offs and rotations can be easily considered.
- Weekends, city holidays, and rush hours can all be factors indicating that it is time to start using map zones functionality.
New to route optimization?
Route optimization is challenging unless you have an experienced partner in the industry! Sign up for a demo at Track-POD and learn how many benefits our platform can bring to your business by simplifying and optimizing delivery management and route scheduling. And most importantly, the price starts at just $29/month per driver!
About The Author
Alisa Cvilij
Content Marketer at Track-POD. Passionate about building meaningful and helpful content for the readers.
