Analytics for model behavior on the roads
Navigating the daily obstacle course of unpredictable traffic and time-critical deliveries, Australian based logistics firm Linfox knows all too well how small hold-ups in the morning can impact operations and escalate into delays by the end of the day.
In an industry where efficiency in meeting delivery deadlines is paramount, the company knew it could gain a significant competitive advantage by making trucking schedules more reliable and right-sizing the fleet. With so many different considerations, using a simulation program proved to be the key to improving productivity.
With no commercial products available, AECOM worked with Linfox to design, develop and deliver a customised solution. The new and powerful analytics tool, called SimFox, runs scenarios to simulate trucking operations and assess the robustness of schedules against a range of performance indicators such as on-time delivery. Running on a personal desktop computer without special hardware, the system features a simulation engine, a results analytics platform and a scenario visualizer. The visualizer produces 3D animations of loading operations at distribution centers, and of trucks traveling across the network and unloading at customer delivery locations.
Predictive analytics solutions like SimFox enable organizations to harness the power of their data.
SimFox is extremely flexible, with the ability to model any of Linfox’s operations across the Asia Pacific — from high-frequency suburban supermarket deliveries to long-distance, heavy-haul logistics for mining clients. It can also be used to support investment decisions by appropriately sizing the trucking fleet and warehousing facilities.
Linfox Transport Analytics and Planning Capabilities Manager, George Gioras says the SimFox technology helps to drive efficiencies in Linfox’s operations.
“SimFox’s predictive analytics allows us to determine the robustness of a particular network at the planning stage,” says Gioras. “It also helps us to plan resources and fleet requirements. Importantly, this results in increased efficiency and cost effectiveness for us and our customers.”
“Predictive analytics solutions like SimFox enable organisations to harness the power of their data,” says AECOM’s James Marshall, Director of Analytics and Simulation, who led the project. “They transform it into insights that improve operational performance.”