You can require your drivers to explicitly mark when they start and end their routes in the driver app. This will update ETAs based on the driver's actual starting time and allow for more accurate analytics. In this article, we will explain how this works and how to enable it.
| Who can use this feature | |
| All plans | |
| Users with administrator privileges and drivers | |
| All regions | |
What is manual route start and end?
Manual route start and end requires drivers to explicitly mark when they start and finish a route in the OptimoRoute Driver App.
When enabled, drivers can:
- Update their expected route start time
- Start the route by tapping “Start Route”
- End the route by tapping “End route”
OptimoRoute uses the driver’s updated or actual route start time to recalculate ETAs. The recorded start and end times can also be used in analytics to compare planned and actual route performance.
Enabling manual start/end route for drivers
This feature requires drivers to manually start and end their routes in the driver app. OptimoRoute records the actual route start and end times and updates ETAs based on the actual start time.
To enable this feature:
- Go to “Administration → Settings.”
- Choose “Driver app → Configuration.”
- In the “Workflow” section, select “Require drivers to manually start/end route.”
- Click “Save.”
View updated route start times in “Live”
When this option is enabled, drivers can start their routes at a different time than originally planned. Dispatchers will see the updated start time on the “Live” screen.
Drivers who change their start time will appear with a “red clock” icon. Hover over the icon to see the planned start time and the driver’s updated start time.
Driver experience
With this option enabled, drivers will be able to:
- View and change the start time of their route
- Start their route by pressing a button
- End their route by pressing a button
Changing planned start time
Drivers can change the planned start time in the OptimoRoute Driver App. The “Change” option becomes available within 8 hours of the planned route start time.
To change the planned start time:
- Open the OptimoRoute Driver App
- Go to the “To do” list
- Click “Change” next to the planned route start date and time
- Update the start time
| The planned start time appears red when the driver hasn't started their route yet and it is after the planned start time. |
Starting a route
To start a route, go "On Duty" and click "Start Route". This will prompt a confirmation that you want to start your route.
| ETAs and expected order start times update when the driver changes the planned route start time or starts the route. |
Ending a route
When you're ready to end your route, you will also need to explicitly take action to do so. At the bottom of your to do list, click "End route".
Incomplete orders
If there are incomplete orders, you will see a warning and must confirm that you want to end the route.
The incomplete orders will remain on the route. You can restart the route later if needed.
| Tip: Drivers can report incomplete orders due to complications or other issues by using the "Rejected" or "Failed" order status. |
Including actual start and end locations in analytics
You can include the actual route start and end times and locations in your “Planned vs. Actual” reports. This can help you compare planned and actual drive time more accurately.
To include this information:
- Go to “Administration → Settings.”
- Choose “Analytics.”
- Find “Choose additional locations to display in Planned vs. Actual Reports.”
- Turn on the options you want to include in your reports.