Replicate of https://www.elasticroute.com/tutorials/how-to-select-between-open-and-closed-path-routing-for-your-vehicle/
There are 2 routing algorithms available in ElasticRoute for your vehicles when planning your runs.
- Types of Routing algorithm
- Open Path Routing
- Closed Path Routing
| Type | Usage | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Path Routing | Recommended for use if your vehicle is required to service all your stops fast. | Will generate a run to service all the stops fast. Total distance traveled to service all the stops (excluding return to depot) is shorter than Closed Path Routing. Does not consider the journey to return to depot. |
The final stop will be located far from the depot, incurring cost for returning back to depot. |
| Closed Path Routing | Recommended for use if the time/distance to return to depot is to be considered. | The journey to return to depot is taken into consideration to form a closed U-shape loop. Total distance traveled to service all the stops (including return to depot) is shorter than Open Path Routing. |
Some of the stops will be serviced at a later time compared to the open path routing. |
Below is an image the expected path for Open and Closed Path Routing, with the Open Path Routing being depicted in blue, and the Closed Path Routing in green.
The numbers above and below of the map-marker icon are the job sequences of the stop in a run for Open Path Routing and Closed Path Routing respectively.
For Open Path Routing, the last stop is located far away from the depot; while for Closed Path Routing, the path form a U-shape back to the depot.
Image Of Open And Closed Path Routing
In this tutorial, you will find the steps required to select the routing algorithm. A list of stops was also being planned to compare Open and Closed Path Routing.
How To Set Up
Manual Addition Or Editing Of Vehicle
- Navigate to Settings > Vehicles.
- Click on either the Add Vehicle or Edit button.
- Scroll down to the Return To Depot section.
Routing Algorithm Return to depot at the end of the day? Open Path Routing Uncheck Closed Path Routing Check 
- Click Save when done.
Importing Of CSV To Create Vehicle
- Prepare a list of Vehicles.
List Of Vehicles Name Return to Depot Driver1 Driver2 0 - Note:
- An entry of 0 will into the Return to depot field will set the routing algorithm to Open Path Routing for Driver2.
- An empty entry (default) for Return to depot field will set the routing algorithm to Closed Path Routing for Driver1.
For more information on other various fields, refer to How To Add Vehicles.
- Navigate to Settings > Vehicles.
- Click on Import > Import from CSV.
- Select your CSV and click Upload.
- Note:
- Checking the “Return to depot" would also factor the Driver's Working Time into consideration before the stop is being assigned to the vehicle.
- If the journey for returning back to depot is out of the working hours of the vehicle, the stop will not be assigned to the driver.
- Refer to How To Set Driver Working Hours.
How To Use
A list of stops was created to show the differences between the 2 different route planning algorithms.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Stop1 | 9 Bishan Pl 579837 |
| Stop2 | 21 Tampines Ave 1 529757 |
| Stop3 | 3 Temasek Blvd 038983 |
| Stop4 | 3000 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 569813 |
| Stop5 | 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 569933 |
| Stop6 | 1000 Upper Changi Rd N 507707 |
| Stop7 | 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4 689812 |
| Stop8 | 2 Jurong East Street 21 609601 |
| Stop9 | 1 Jurong West Central 2 648886 |
| Depot | 55 Airport Blvd 819647 |
Screenshot Before Planning
From the planned results below, it can be seen that the run (excluding the journey for return to depot) for Open Path Routing were completed faster and shorter than the Closed Path Routing, with the last stop located far away from the depot. The Open Path Routing would be more suitable for users who wish to service their stops fast, and do not need to consider the journey to return to the depot.
| Routing Algorithm | Time (mins) | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Open Path Routing | 78 | 74.543 |
| Closed Path Routing | 86 | 83.427 |
However, when the return to depot is being factored into the calculation, the total time/distance for the Closed Path Routing is faster and shorter than the Open Path Routing, with a U-shaped route being generated. The Closed Path Routing would be more suitable for users who wishes to consider the journey to return to depot.
| Routing Algorithm | Time (mins) | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Open Path Routing | 112 | 113.333 |
| Closed Path Routing | 103 | 102.257 |
| Seq | Name | Traveling Time (mins) | Distance (km) | Name | Traveling Time | Distance (km) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop6 | 10 | 8.31 | Stop6 | 10 | 8.31 | ||||
| 2 | Stop2 | 12 | 12.76 | Stop2 | 7 | 5.574 | ||||
| 3 | Stop3 | 8 | 7.027 | Stop5 | 13 | 12.929 | ||||
| 4 | Stop1 | 10 | 10 | Stop4 | 2 | 1.814 | ||||
| 5 | Stop5 | 4 | 3.024 | Stop7 | 15 | 17.144 | ||||
| 6 | Stop4 | 2 | 1.814 | Stop9 | 9 | 9.62 | ||||
| 7 | Stop7 | 15 | 17.144 | Stop8 | 8 | 5.95 | ||||
| 8 | Stop8 | 10 | 8.773 | Stop1 | 15 | 15.877 | ||||
| 9 | Stop9 | 7 | 5.691 | Stop3 | 7 | 6.209 | ||||
| Run excluding Return To Depot | Total Time | 78 | Total Distance | 74.543 | Total Time | 86 | Total Distance | 83.427 | ||
| * | Return To Depot | 34 | 38.79 | Return To Depot | 17 | 18.83 | ||||
| Run including Return To Depot | Total Time | 112 | Total Distance | 113.333 | Total Time | 103 | Total Distance | 102.257 | ||
Open Path Routing
Screenshot Of Planned Results
Screenshot Of Planned Results On Map
Closed Path Routing
Screenshot Of Planned Results
Screenshot Of Planned Results On Map
