Virtual Dispatch

Delivery driving can be more than a side hustle. With a combination of apps, or even one app, it’s possible to run deliveries for most of a day. Furthermore the courier can do this daily.

After some consistent days with deliveries the earnings begin to grow. With this in mind, it is a good time to consider the expense of the consistent delivery schedule. If using a vehicle that is fossil fueled, expenses begin with fuel. They don’t end there.

The courier that has a fuel efficient vehicle has an advantage. Obviously, a large 4×4 pickup truck, will use more fuel per mile. A small compact car, not as much. However, neither will move without fuel, regardless of cost. Therefore, fuel is a common expense. Every shift.

Most couriers have a razor sharp eye for the fuel gauge, as well as, a keen sense about how many miles are left in the tank. Before empty. Not only is instinct and intuition at play, but also serious number crunching!

When delivery offers come in, they will be presented a certain way. There is only a short time to view the offer. If unaccepted, the offer is moved to another courier. Certain details will matter more to the courier than others. For example, the mileage that is estimated.

The mileage presented with the offer is an estimate. One with an optimistic view on things. The offer is from point a to point b, respectively. Draw a straight line and the mileage is what it is.

How the Crow Flies

Except. It’s not really like that on the road. Furthermore, terrain is a major factor in a route. For example, a pickup location is on one side of mountain x. The drop off location is on the other side of mountain x.

There are two routes. One route goes around the mountain. The other goes across the top, to the other side. On the map, the second route appears shorter. Or straight, as the crow flies. The route around the mountain looks longer.

However, there is more mileage to consider. The distance up one slope, then down the other, has more mileage than a straight line. The apps don’t think about that. The screenshot is one good example. The screenshot, is an actual map of my area.

In the screen shot, the blue line is the estimated mileage of a delivery offer. The red line is the actual mileage to completion. There is a big difference in actual miles traveled. This offer is acceptable to the app because, as the crow flies, (the blue line) the delivery isn’t far. It is important to study all the details of an offer. Stay safe out there.

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