Optimize All Routes uses an Appian proprietary algorithm to optimize the “all routes” solution by moving a stop or multiple stops between routes, and re-sequencing the routes if necessary, to drive the solution cost for all the routes as low as possible. Because optimization can potentially cause a lot of changes to the routing solution, Daily Planner gives the route planner the ability to lock certain types of changes to the routes to device optimization benefits while limiting the disruption to the routes.
There are two ways to optimize routes. Choosing the right option is dependent on the way you would like to optimize.
Use the multi-select option in the route card list to select the routes to be included in the multi-route optimization. You can include all routes, or choose to omit some routes from this process by unchecking the route card selection box. Omitting a route prevents all optimization changes to that route.
Control+Alt+O will initiate a fast optimization of all routes. You cannot omit any routes from the optimization process using this method, and ALL routes will be optimized to the fullest extent.
Locking Routes
Using Option one (1) above, the first step in the multi-route optimization is to apply the needed locks. You can multi-select route cards, or choose a single route, and then drag the route(s) from the left side route card list to the column of the lock type they wish to apply to that route. If you wish to start an empty column, or empty all columns of locks, there is a “redo” icon at the top of each column as well as a master redo, to empty all lock-type columns. Four lock types can be applied to routes as limiting tools to prevent too much change. The lock types are:
Prevent Addition: prevents stops from being added to that route. Stops may be removed and/or re-sequenced as part of optimization.
Prevent Removal: prevents stops from being removed. Stops may be added and/or re-sequenced as part of optimization.
Prevent Addition and Removal: prevents stops from being added or removed. Stops may be re-sequenced as part of optimization.
Prevent All Changes: prevents stops from being added or removed AND prevents resequencing.
To exit the workflow, click Cancel. To advance the workflow from the Lock screen to the Preview screen, click Preview. To implement organization without previewing click Optimize.
Optimization Preview
Multi-route optimization changes cannot be easily undone. To manage this, Daily Planner provides an optional preview screen as part of the workflow, to allow the planner to evaluate the proposed changes, before implementing the changes. With the preview screen, the planner can evaluate the savings and the route changes and decide to cancel or implement the changes. The Optimization Summary at the top of the Preview page displays the summary statistics in terms of overall saved miles, saved hours of work, and cost savings of the proposed changes.
Below the Summary statistics is a list of the route cards on the left, the incremental changes in the center column showing the routes that will contribute stops on the left and those routes that will receive stops on the right. On the far right is the complete stop list for each of the routes changed. Click on the change cards in the middle column to inspect the stops on the affected routes on the right. One example is shown below:
With Multi-route optimization, the proposed changes can only be rejected in total or accepted in total. Because the changes are intertwined between the routes, no partial change is possible. You can reject the optimization recommendation on the Preview screen, by clicking Cancel. To accept the recommendation, click Apply Optimization.