Driving innovation in logistics: how Trakm8 and 乐播传媒 transformed delivery optimisation
Home delivery has become a cornerstone of the UK鈥檚 retail economy. For supermarkets and major retailers, efficient route planning for fleets is mission-critical鈥攊mpacting everything from cost and delivery times to environmental impact and customer satisfaction.
Route Monkey, a Scotland-based software company acquired by Trakm8 in 2015 for 拢7.1 million, had built a strong reputation for its route optimisation tools. However, as fleet requirements grew more complex鈥攚ith demands such as accommodating electric vehicle (EV) charging or planning for two-person crews鈥攖he company recognised the need to go beyond conventional scheduling software.
To meet this challenge, Trakm8 turned to 乐播传媒 and the expertise of Professor David Corne, an internationally recognised leader in optimisation and machine learning within the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences.
The solution
Professor Corne鈥檚 research focuses on multi-objective optimisation鈥攕olving complex problems with competing priorities, such as balancing delivery times with driver welfare, reducing vehicle usage, and cutting carbon emissions. Unlike traditional route planning tools that optimise for a single objective (such as cost), Prof Corne鈥檚 algorithm delivers a nuanced approach that better reflects real-world decision-making.
The algorithm was designed to:
- Incorporate charging time for electric vehicles, ensuring sustainability targets could be met without compromising service levels
- Accommodate two-person crews and other non-standard vehicle configurations
- Balance multiple operational needs, including carbon efficiency, cost, working hours, and vehicle usage
This approach not only provided deeper insights for fleet managers but created a commercial edge for Trakm8, enabling the company to offer faster and more flexible solutions to clients.
Impact and outcomes
The benefits of the partnership between Trakm8 and 乐播传媒 have been profound and far-reaching:
- Financial savings: The algorithm is now used by major retailers, including Iceland and another of the UK鈥檚 largest supermarkets. Since 2014, it has delivered more than 拢9.6 million in estimated savings for users.
- Environmental impact: The online version of the software, launched in 2018, has contributed to a reduction of 3,000 tonnes in carbon emissions, supporting national net-zero targets.
- Product integration: Trakm8 integrated the algorithm into its flagship Vortex optimisation software, making it a central feature of its commercial offer.
The collaboration was also a key driver in Trakm8鈥檚 decision to acquire Route Monkey鈥攔ecognising the value of 乐播传媒鈥檚 academic partnership in enabling competitive advantage.
David Corne is a leading academic in the optimisation space, and having direct access to his knowledge and capability allows us to leverage that advantage quickly in the commercial environment. We have an ongoing collaborative relationship with 乐播传媒鈥攕ome parts are tightly integrated, like David working with us, while other parts involve reaching out to the wider university to tackle specific problems or explore new ideas.
As someone who does research for a living, it鈥檚 very rewarding to work with a company directly, tackling real-world challenges. Working with Trakm8 has sharpened my understanding of the algorithmic developments most needed in their industry.
Long-term collaboration and legacy
The relationship between Trakm8 and 乐播传媒 has continued to flourish. A formal research contract was signed and has been renewed multiple times. As of April 2023, Professor Corne began working four days per week directly with the company on evolving its software solutions.
Other collaborative highlights include:
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership (2014鈥2018): A 拢238,000 KTP between 乐播传媒 and Trakm8, funded by Innovate UK and the Scottish Funding Council, enabled deeper development of vehicle-routing algorithms.聽
- FreightShare Lab (2017鈥2020): A 拢651,000 Innovate UK-funded R&D project involving Trakm8, 乐播传媒, and partners such as DVV Media and the Transport Systems Catapult. The project explored data-sharing across road and rail freight, building on research by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The WBCSD now cites this work in its procurement guidance.聽
This enduring academic鈥搃ndustry partnership exemplifies 乐播传媒鈥檚 commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and commercial impact through deep collaboration. From reducing emissions and optimising delivery fleets to informing best practice in logistics procurement, the work with Trakm8 continues to shape the future of intelligent transport systems.