Calculate ETA - Multiple Stops

In this section, we will review a common scenario for multiple stops.

Multiple Stops, More Parameters

Most load plans include arrival and departure windows. The following scenario explores how the initial ETA is calculated when the system anticipates early or late arrival to a stop.

Scenario

It is 9AM on Tuesday. An empty truck arrives in Indianapolis, Indiana. The loading process begins immediately. The first stop the truck must make is in Nashville, Tennessee. According to PC Miler, the distance between those stops is 287 miles. The next stop the truck makes is in Birmingham, Alabama. According to PC Miler, the distance between those stops is 193 miles. The final stop is in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to PC Miler, the distance between those stops is 345 miles.

Calculate the initial ETA; that is, what is the system generated ETA at 9:00 AM on Tuesday? Assume no check calls have been entered.

Stop Name Arrival Appt.
Nashville, TN 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Birmingham, AL 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
New Orleans, LA 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Constants

  • Maximum hours of time allowed for driving is 11 hours.
  • Maximum on-duty time allowed for driving and other activities is 14 hours.
  • After 11 hours, the driver must stop for 10 hours.
  • ProTrans interpreted DOT average speed is 45 miles per hour.

Calculation

  • Truck departs at 11 AM Tuesday. 2 hrs on duty is logged.
  • Truck arrives in Nashville at 5:23 PM Tuesday.
  • System still assumes the departure will be 10PM until told otherwise. Arriving early does not affect the initial ETA.
  • At forecasted departure time, driver has 13 hours of on-duty time and will reach the maximum 14 before the maximum 11 hours driving.
  • System notes when the driver stops at 11pm, there will be 148 miles remaining until reaching Birmingham, AL.
  • After the driver rests for 10 hours (9am Wednesday), driving resumes. The driver reaches Birmingham, AL at 12:17 PM Wednesday. The driver will miss the arrival apt. The system knows this.
  • The system forecasts departure at 2:17 PM Wednesday.
  • When the driver departs Birmingham, AL:
    • 345 miles must be traveled.
    • 7 hr. 43 min. of driving time remains.
    • 8 hr. 43 min. of on-duty time remains.

Result

The driver arrives in New Orleans, LA at 9:57pm Wednesday.