MHD Editorial: From static routes to truck-aware intelligence

Freight operators are moving away from static, car-based routing systems as delivery networks become more complex, customer expectations tighten, and compliance requirements increase. In their place, a new layer of truck-aware location intelligence is emerging, enabling operators to plan and execute routes based on real-world constraints, not assumptions.

That shift is being driven by the limitations of legacy planning tools, which rely heavily on manual intervention and fixed routes that cannot adapt to changing conditions. For operators managing high volumes, diverse fleets, and time-sensitive deliveries, those constraints are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

Arie Spivak, Co-Founder and CTO at Radaro, says traditional routing approaches were built around static planning models that no longer reflect the realities of modern freight operations.

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“Most traditional routing tools would involve a lot of static planning and a lot of manual planning and intervention by dispatchers and management. The friction that transpires from those sorts of manual processes is significant.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

The turning point

Static routing models typically involve planning delivery runs in advance, locking them in, and executing them without adjustment throughout the day. While this approach may have been sufficient in less complex environments, it does not account for the variability that now defines last-mile logistics.

There is often no integration between planning systems, execution data, and customer communication layers. As a result, operators are left managing fragmented systems, limited visibility, and a growing reliance on manual workarounds.

“Once the manual hours have gone into setting and designing a plan across a delivery network, that plan is generally locked in, without any dynamic intervention. There’s also generally no execution data measured against what the static plan was. It’s usually disparate systems that are siloed.”

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“In some environments, we saw inbound customer calls reaching six to seven hundred per day. Customer satisfaction dropped, and delivery windows were unrealistic because the routes themselves weren’t optimised for real-world conditions.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

For many organisations, these limitations have direct operational and customer impacts. Inefficient routing leads to extended delivery windows, missed timeframes, and a lack of real-time communication with end customers.

The result is a disconnect between planning and execution, where delivery promises cannot be consistently met, and customer confidence erodes.

Moving beyond car-based routing

A key limitation of traditional routing systems is that they are often built on car-based mapping logic. These systems do not account for the constraints that apply to heavy vehicles, such as bridge heights, weight limits, road restrictions, and hazardous goods regulations.

As delivery networks scale and diversify, those constraints become critical. Routing a heavy vehicle using car-based assumptions introduces compliance risks and operational inefficiencies, particularly in urban environments.

Arie says the shift toward truck-aware routing, powered by HERE Technologies, is a direct response to these challenges, enabling operators to plan routes that reflect the physical and regulatory realities of freight movement.

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“Truck routing intelligence is the game changer. You’ve got bridge heights, weight restrictions, hazardous goods that can’t go through tunnels, and road access limitations. Those commercial vehicle realities weren’t being treated properly in traditional routing platforms.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

By incorporating these constraints into route optimisation, operators can reduce risk, improve safety, and ensure compliance without relying on manual checks or driver intervention.

Case study: Air Liquide

For healthcare logistics provider Air Liquide, the limitations of manual and static routing were particularly acute. Delivering oxygen and medical equipment requires a high level of reliability, with little tolerance for delays or errors.

Prior to implementing a dynamic routing solution, the organisation relied heavily on manual processes. There was limited visibility across the delivery network, and no consistent way to communicate delivery windows to customers.

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“Everything was heavy and manual. Drivers weren’t following planned routes because they didn’t trust them, and there was no real-time visibility or feedback loop within the system.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

The introduction of a dynamic routing and execution platform changed how the operation functioned. Real-time tracking, improved driver workflows, and integrated communication tools provided a clearer view of each delivery.

Drivers were able to interact with the system through a more intuitive interface, improving adoption and trust in the routing logic. At the same time, operators gained access to execution data that could be used to refine and optimise future routes.

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“Once the solution was implemented, there was real-time job visibility, better driver workflows, and stronger trust in the system. Capturing feedback in real time and closing the loop on each job was a major shift.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

The result was a more reliable and transparent delivery operation, aligned with the critical nature of healthcare logistics.

Case study: Nick Scali

Furniture retailer Nick Scali faced a different set of challenges, driven by high delivery volumes and customer expectations around timing and service.

Under a static routing model, the business experienced inefficient delivery planning, large delivery windows, and high volumes of inbound customer enquiries.

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“Delivery windows were often four to five hours, which created anxiety for customers. There was no real-time communication, and when deliveries ran late, there was no visibility into what was happening.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

By shifting to a dynamic routing approach, the retailer was able to improve both operational efficiency and customer experience. Route optimisation reduced fleet requirements while maintaining delivery volumes, and delivery windows were tightened to provide more accurate expectations.

“There was a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in fleet requirements while maintaining the same productivity,” says Arie. “Delivery windows reduced from four hours to three hours, and inbound customer calls dropped by 30 to 40 per cent.”

These improvements were driven by better route density and more efficient clustering of deliveries within specific geographies. As routes became more optimised, the cost per delivery decreased, and resource utilisation improved.

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“When routes become more effective, you see better density on the map. That’s where the efficiency gains become real, not just theoretical.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

The broader impact

The shift toward truck-aware location intelligence is not limited to individual case studies. It reflects a broader change in how freight operators approach planning, execution, and customer engagement.

As supply chains become more dynamic, the ability to respond in real time is becoming a baseline requirement rather than a competitive advantage. Static planning models, which rely on upfront assumptions and manual adjustments, are increasingly out of step with this reality.

Arie says the value of modern routing systems lies not just in real-time tracking, but in the data and insights generated through execution.

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“Real-time tracking is a drawcard, but it’s the execution intelligence and insights that are the real value driver. That’s what allows organisations to continuously improve and adapt.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

For operators, this means moving toward integrated platforms that connect planning, execution, and communication into a single workflow. It also requires a shift in mindset, from viewing routing as a static planning exercise to treating it as a dynamic, data-driven process.

Conclusion

The move away from traditional routing tools is being shaped by the increasing complexity of freight operations and the need for more accurate, responsive planning.

Truck-aware location intelligence is enabling operators to align routes with real-world constraints, improve efficiency, and deliver more reliable customer outcomes.

For organisations still relying on static planning models, the gap between expectation and execution is likely to widen.

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“Once efficiency gains are measurable and not just assumptions, that’s what builds trust. It’s about delivering on the promise, consistently.”

Arie Spivak

CTO, Radaro

As freight networks continue to evolve, the ability to plan and execute with precision will remain central to performance, cost control, and customer satisfaction.