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Route planning is really important in the logistics world and can boost productivity, reduce costs, and improve safety for drivers.
Throughout this article, we discuss HGV route planning in detail and explore the best commercial truck route planners for drivers.
What is HGV route planning?
HGV route planning involves selecting the most optimal road course for HGV and LGV driving, factoring in the vehicle size, height, weight, and road restrictions, such as low bridges.
It’s usually conducted using a route planner – whose ultimate aim is to ensure goods are distributed on schedule and to make the job easier and safer for heavy vehicle drivers.
The benefits of HGV route planning
There are several unique benefits of HGV route planning. Rather than guesswork or following the path you would in the car, finding the best routes for HGVs to take can lead to:
Reduced fuel consumption
As an HGV driver, by planning your route, you’re more likely to achieve less idling and a lower mileage between A to B, reducing fuel consumption.
Using less fuel and stopping frequent calls at petrol stations offer several advantages, including saving money on fuel costs, more environmentally friendly driving, and improved time efficiency, which we’ll discuss in more detail next.
Time efficiency
One of the biggest aims of HGV route planning is to reduce the time it takes to deliver goods. By providing HGV-specific driving directions, route planners can lower the distance travelled and the time spent in traffic jams, meaning drivers reach their destination promptly.
This means fewer hours on the road for drivers who could tire or exceed their driving hours and delivery deadlines being met, or even exceeded!
Enhanced client relationships
By boosting time efficiency when it comes to logistics, companies can build much stronger client relations – after all, no one wants to work with distribution teams that rarely arrive on time.
Just like standard route planning, HGV route plans often offer an ETA, meaning you can keep customers up to date with your movements, allowing them to prepare for your arrival and boost the trust between themselves and your business.
Improved driver safety
Conscientious route planning is imperative for health and safety reasons and helps to keep drivers and other road users safe from accidents. Firstly, the course provided by a route planner should enable HGVs to stay compliant with UK road restrictions and regulations, which are implemented for safety reasons.
For example, HGV route planning will avoid paths that feature low bridges that could potentially lead to driver injuries and damage to tall vehicles.
What’s more, some a route planner often include rest stops, as breaks are a legal requirement for HGV drivers – and depending on the planner you use, may even let you know when you need to take a break.
Limited wear to HGVs
By selecting the most efficient journey for large vehicles, the need for frequent vehicle maintenance and repairs is greatly minimalised.
This is thanks to the route planner omitting paths that may feature;
- Uneven and narrow roads
- Dangers from bad weather conditions that could lead to undercarriage damage and heavy paintwork damage
- Steep roads that can scrape or scratch if the front and undercarriage drag on the gradient
In favour of smoother courses.
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HGV route planning software
Several pieces of software are designed to help drivers plan routes and navigate their journey – but are they suitable for HGV drivers?
AA route planner for HGV
The official AA route planner is a simple navigational tool used by UK drivers to plan the quickest route to take, avoiding traffic and congestion where possible. Drivers simply input their current location and destination and the website will generate the best routes to take – you can even select options, such as avoiding current traffic or tolls.
However, this planning software is fairly basic, better suited to cars, and isn’t HGV-specific, meaning HGV drivers can only filter out congested routes.
Plus, as it isn’t a mobile app, it can be time-consuming to print out the map.
HGV route planner Google maps
Google Maps is a popular route planner software used by drivers the world over that offers real-time traffic updates, turn-by-turn directions, voice navigation, and car integration. What’s more, it will also provide up-to-date weather information in the event of treacherous conditions.
Used in-app or online, users insert their current location and destination and the best routes will be suggested – just like the AA route planner, tolls can be avoided, too.
However, Google Maps isn’t a specific HGV route finder and therefore can’t provide specific ETAs for trucks and other large vehicles nor suggest the most efficient paths for lorries to take.
Top 4 HGV route planner apps
As an HGV driver or employer, you can take the worry out of route planning with HGV-specific path planner apps.
Waze
This app is a great choice if you’re looking for a free planner to help you get from place to place efficiently. It enables truckers to:
- Communicate with the local driving community
- Save fuel, time, and avoid traffic congestion with HGV mapping and navigation
- Receive road alerts on the go
Lorry Route
Lorry Route provided more than 500,000 routes in 2019 and this figure has only increased since. Its top features include:
- Avoiding low bridges
- Reducing the chance of charges and fines e.g by selecting routes that avoid LEZs zones in city centres
- Prioritising the safest and most efficient path for heavy goods vehicles
- An online portal for logistics managers
Descartes
Another HGV and LGV route planner is Descartes, a state-of-the-art logistics routing system that offers:
- Dynamic route planning
- Strategic mapping of optimal paths for heavy vehicles
- Customisable options for specific company needs
Navtruck UK
This HGV navigation app costs £79.99 on Apple and Android phones and provides:
- Calculated routes while considering truck-restricted roads
- Reliable route results that consider the HGV’s width, weight, and load type
- Voice guidance for smartphones
Want to know even more? Check out our blog ‘The best apps for HGV drivers‘ to find out the best apps on the market for HGV operators.
Interested in a new and fulfilling career?
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After enrolling on an HGV training course with us, you’ll learn everything you need to know about driving a commercial vehicle with hands-on training, instructed by seasoned professionals. We also offer CPC training, too.Interested? Get in touch with our dedicated team today on 0800 254 5007 and we’ll guide you through the process.
