In The News
ProMiles® offers expediters specific routing options
By Jeff Jensen, Editor
May 14, 2008 - 2:34:10 PM

Not all commercial vehicles are created equal.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the expediters market where vehicles can range anywhere from a standard pick-up truck to a full size tractor semi-trailer combination.

ProMiles software has taken the lead in providing their clients with the ability to configure their vehicle specifically for the trip they are on, allowing the potential use of thousands of miles of roadways not considered in other routing applications, but staying specific to the commercial vehicle market.

“Expediters are a rapidly expanding market for us,” says Tony Stroncheck – President of ProMiles Sales & Marketing. “The ability to consider a wide selection of vehicles and weights is one of the keys to effectively planning routes for expediters. Just because a highway is restricted for an 80,000 lb. tractor semi-trailer doesn’t mean that it is restricted to a 40’ straight truck. In many cases this can make a huge difference in the route,” Stroncheck added.

While ProMiles has identified thousands of miles of restrictions for commercial vehicles on highways across the United States and Canada, only a portion of those are specific to straight trucks and even then, whether the tag axle is up or down may have a bearing on what roads can be used.

“It’s amazing how many ways the various jurisdictions have for restricting commercial vehicle traffic,” adds Tim Pilcher – President of Development for ProMiles.

“We have restrictions based on number of tires, number of axles, lengths, weights, heights and kingpin settings as well as dozens of other factors.”

With all of these things to consider, it’s easy to see where “practical” or “shortest” routing has definitely become a relative term.  What is the shortest legal route for a tractor and 53’ semi-trailer may be vastly different than for a straight truck making the same trip and as many drivers have found, attempting to use software not designed for the trucking industry can have nightmare issues of their own.

“We have calls all the time from drivers who have found themselves facing low clearances due to attempting to route their truck with a software designed for the general public,” adds Stroncheck.

The Kingpin® edition of ProMiles allows users to specify anything from a 2 axle straight truck that is 10’ tall such as the Sprinter® vans all the way to conventional tractor semi-trailers with 5 or more axles. Users have the ability to set axle and gross weights, overall and axle specific lengths, trailer length and choose 96” or 102” width.

Drivers have the ability to rapidly input their trip information and calculate their route, getting them on the road faster than the traditional method of using an atlas and notepad. GPS users can enhance this with the “Drive” mode offered within the program providing voice prompted turn by turn directions.

With fuel prices steadily climbing, users of ProMiles Kingpin edition will also appreciate the ability to view fuel prices along their route as well as having the program suggest which stops to use. ProMiles reports that average users are saving around $150 per month in fuel costs alone.

ProMiles will be at the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, OH on July 25-26 offering visitors the chance to take a look at their products.

About ProMiles

ProMiles Software Development Corporation, developer of the industry's Largest and Most Accurate Mileage and Mapping Database, develops various types of desktop (CD) and Web applications such as Route/Stop Optimization, Fuel Tax Reporting, Fuel Management and Fuel Purchase Optimization.

Companies such as Wal-Mart, Ocean Spray, Bayer and General Motors have benefited from the use of ProMiles applications. ProMiles fuel price data has tens of thousands of users across North America including nationwide chains such as Pilot, Loves, Flying J as well as other country stores and travel plazas.

Auditors in the majority of States and Provinces are using ProMiles applications for IFTA, Log Book and IRP compliance verification. ProMiles gives the trucking industry the same tools to pre-audit their records that the government uses to perform an audit. For more information on ProMiles Software Development Corporation, visit ProMiles.com.