Loading and unloading times

Transportation Manager provides the ability to configure loading and unloading time factors for each shipping and receiving location, for each dock and for each equipment type. These values include:

• Variable loading unit type and an associated time factor, as well as a variable unloading unit type and associated time factor
• Minimum Variable Loading/Unloading Time
• Maximum Variable Loading/Unloading Time
• Fixed Loading / Unloading Time

These values are used during routing/rating/scheduling for a load so that an approximate time can be estimated for loading and/or unloading at each stop. This information can then be used to verify that the proposed movement of goods is feasible given the applicable time constraints.

The Loading / Unloading Time Calculation Mode for the shipping location will determine whether times will be based on the location, dock or equipment type. This flag supports the following values:

• Use Equipment Type Values if Active (supersede Location/Dock)
• Accumulate Location/Dock and Equipment Type
• Use Location/Dock Times Exclusively
• Use Higher Value between Location/Dock and Equipment Type
• Dock Supersedes both Equipment Type and Location

The values computed for Fixed Loading / Unloading Time and Variable Loading / Unloading Time will be combined to establish the total loading/unloading time for each stop. Variable time will be zero when loading/unloading is non-live.

Minimum Variable Loading/Unloading Time and Maximum Variable Loading/Unloading Time (as a pair) can optionally be activated for a non-tractor equipment type. Also, Fixed Loading/Unloading Time can be optionally activated for any equipment type. If the Minimum/Maximum and/or Fixed Time is not activated for an equipment type, calculations for loading/unloading time could use a mixture of values defined at different levels.

Note: When a Delivery schedule is used, loading time and unloading will be ignored unless Transportation Planner is configured to use docks for delivery schedules. If Transportation Planner is configured to use docks for delivery schedules, loading time and unloading time will be calculated as specified above.

For an outbound location or dock, additional values include:

• Earliest Pre-Loading hours
• Latest Pre-Loading hours

For an inbound location or dock, additional values include:

• Earliest Post-Unloading hours
• Latest Post-Unloading hours

The pre-loading times for a location of type Load-at, DC, and Hub can be optionally enabled and configured. Similarly, the post-discharge times for a location of type Consignee, DC, and Hub can be optionally enabled and configured. See Pre-loading and post-discharge times.

Note: The Apply Update to All Docks options are available only when a location has associated docks. Time Controls option allows time values in the Loading/Unloading Time Controls section to be copied. Variable Times option allows values in the Variable Loading/Unloading Times section to be copied.