Route Optimization Criteria¶

Choose between distance and duration optimization to align routes with your business priorities - whether it's saving fuel costs or ensuring fast delivery times.

🎯 What is Route Optimization?¶

The minimize parameter determines what the routing algorithm optimizes for:

Distance: Minimize total kilometers/miles traveled
Duration: Minimize total travel time

This fundamental choice affects route selection, road preferences, and overall route characteristics.

📋 Optimization Options¶

Distance Optimization¶

Minimize the total distance traveled:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "distance"
}

Characteristics: - Shorter routes (fewer kilometers) - May use slower roads to save distance - Reduced fuel consumption - Lower vehicle wear - Longer travel times possible

Duration Optimization¶

Minimize the total travel time:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "duration"
}

Characteristics: - Faster routes (less time) - Prefers highways and faster roads - May cover more distance - Higher fuel consumption possible - Better for time-sensitive deliveries

💡 Use Cases¶

Distance Optimization¶

1. Fuel Cost Reduction¶

Minimize operational costs for delivery fleets:

{
  "mode": "truck",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "distance",
  "avoid_features": ["toll_road"]
}

Benefits: - Lower fuel consumption - Reduced cost per delivery - Environmental benefits

2. Local Deliveries¶

Short-distance deliveries where time is less critical:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "waypoints": [
    [41.0090, 28.9790],
    [41.0095, 28.9795]
  ],
  "destination": [41.0100, 28.9800],
  "minimize": "distance"
}

3. Environmental Considerations¶

Reduce carbon footprint:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "distance",
  "avoid_features": ["controlled_access_highway"]
}

Duration Optimization¶

1. Express Deliveries¶

Time-critical shipments and services:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "duration",
  "tolls": true
}

Benefits: - Fastest possible delivery - Higher customer satisfaction - More deliveries per day

2. Emergency Services¶

Medical, repair, or urgent services:

{
  "mode": "car",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "duration",
  "avoid_features": []
}

3. Labor Cost Optimization¶

Reduce driver hours and labor costs:

{
  "mode": "truck",
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "duration"
}

📊 Comparison¶

Distance vs Duration Trade-offs¶

Aspect	Distance Optimization	Duration Optimization
Primary Goal	Shortest path	Fastest path
Fuel Usage	Lower	Higher
Travel Time	Longer	Shorter
Road Types	Mix of all roads	Prefers highways
Tolls	Often avoided	Often used
Cost	Lower fuel costs	Higher fuel, lower labor
Best For	Budget-conscious	Time-sensitive

Example Comparison¶

Same route with different optimization:

# Distance-optimized route
distance_route = {
    "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
    "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
    "minimize": "distance"
}
# Result: 8.5 km, 18 minutes

# Duration-optimized route
duration_route = {
    "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
    "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
    "minimize": "duration"
}
# Result: 12.3 km, 11 minutes

Analysis: - Distance route: 45% shorter distance, but 64% longer time - Duration route: 39% longer distance, but saves 7 minutes

🔧 Best Practices¶

1. Match Business Goals¶

Choose Distance if: - Fuel costs are significant - Time constraints are flexible - Environmental impact is important - Vehicle maintenance is a concern

Choose Duration if: - Customer satisfaction depends on speed - Labor costs are high - Delivery windows are tight - Multiple deliveries per day

2. Consider Context¶

Urban Areas:

{
  "minimize": "duration",  // Traffic makes distance less relevant
  "avoid_features": []
}

Rural Areas:

{
  "minimize": "distance",  // Fewer road options, stable speeds
  "avoid_features": []
}

3. Combine with Other Features¶

Cost-Conscious:

{
  "minimize": "distance",
  "avoid_features": ["toll_road"],
  "tolls": false
}

Time-Critical:

{
  "minimize": "duration",
  "tolls": true,
  "avoid_features": []
}

4. Test Both Options¶

Always compare both optimization strategies for your specific routes:

import requests

routes_to_test = [
    {"minimize": "distance"},
    {"minimize": "duration"}
]

for route_config in routes_to_test:
    payload = {
        "tasks": [{
            "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
            "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
            **route_config
        }]
    }
    response = requests.post(url, json=payload)
    # Compare results

🎯 Decision Framework¶

Step 1: Identify Primary Constraint¶

Budget-limited → Distance
Time-limited → Duration

Step 2: Consider Secondary Factors¶

Fuel costs vs labor costs
Customer expectations
Environmental policies
Vehicle capacity

Step 3: Analyze Your Data¶

Historical fuel consumption
Average delivery times
Customer feedback
Operational costs

Step 4: Test and Measure¶

Run both optimization types
Measure real-world results
Adjust based on data

⚠️ Important Considerations¶

Not Always Obvious¶

The optimal choice isn't always intuitive: - Heavy traffic may make duration optimization choose longer routes - Distance optimization might use highways for straightness

Context Matters¶

Same optimization may yield different results based on: - Time of day - Geographic area - Road network characteristics - Vehicle specifications

Combine with Alternatives¶

Use alternatives to see both options:

{
  "origin": [41.0082, 28.9784],
  "destination": [41.0150, 28.9850],
  "minimize": "duration",
  "alternatives": 2  // See distance-optimized alternatives too
}

📈 Impact on Different Scenarios¶

Short Routes (< 10 km)¶

Minimal difference between distance and duration optimization.

Medium Routes (10-50 km)¶

Noticeable differences: - Distance: 15-25% less distance - Duration: 20-40% less time

Long Routes (> 50 km)¶

Significant differences: - Distance optimization may avoid highways completely - Duration optimization heavily favors fast roads

📚 See Also¶

The right optimization criteria depends on your business priorities. Test both options with real data to make informed decisions.