• More accurate and efficient routing will enable a reduction in CO2 and minimise impact on the environment

Optrak Distribution Software Limited (www.optrak.co.uk) today announced that Oakwood Environmental Services has selected Optrak’s vehicle routing and scheduling software to plan its environmentally friendly waste collection and recycling service. The software will help the waste specialist reduce CO2 emissions and its impact on the environment in line with its responsibilities as an ISO14001 certified company.

Oakwood Environmental Services offers a national ‘One Stop’ waste management package. Amongst its vehicle fleet are unique trucks capable of collecting and transporting multiple waste streams. In addition to the main bulk waste oil compartment, each truck has a specially designed platform on the rear to carry a large number of drums, a side mounted holder for car batteries, a specific anti-freeze tank and a front cage for plastics. This poses significant additional challenges when it comes to load planning and vehicle routing.

Michael Sneath, Compliance Manager, Oakwood Environmental Services explains, “We have a highly complex transport requirement which is extremely time consuming due to the complexity and number of different factors that we need to consider. We carried out a detailed market evaluation and were very impressed with Optrak’s ability to cater for a wide range of different waste collection types. Optrak will enable us to plan more effectively and ensure our vehicles travel the least distance whilst delivering a high quality service. As a result of using Optrak we will cut fuel and running costs and minimise our carbon footprint.”

Optrak’s specialised functionality for the waste industry include a powerful loader/loading facility which allows it to cope with collections and deliveries to the same customer, even when the order is made up of multiple parts that can only be transported in specific compartments or containers.

Optrak automatically manages the weight and volume limits on each vehicle throughout the planning process to ensure that even when delivering additional empty containers, the vehicle is never overloaded and all rules on hazardous waste collections are correctly observed. Optrak will enable Oakwood Environmental Services to manage its responsibilities under ADR regulations. Optrak will also manage driver hours, and, based on the material carried, can use standard instead of certified drivers where the volumes of waste collected fall below ADR limits.

Sneath concluded, “Oakwood Environmental Services is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and Optrak’s routing software will help us meet our ISO14001 obligations. Optrak demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the waste industry challenges and a key factor for us was that they had significant experience in implementing routing software for compartmented vehicles. Optrak’s superior flexibility in managing the different products and compartment types and rules clearly set it aside from other systems. An added benefit from Optrak is that we anticipate our planning time will be vastly reduced, thus freeing up staff for more productive activity.”

Tim Pigden, Managing Director Optrak commented, “The focus on environmentally friendly solutions has never been higher and Oakwood Environmental Services provides an extremely valuable service allowing companies to manage their hazardous waste collections effectively and efficiently. Our vehicle routing solution for the waste management industry offers special functionality to cater for the specialised needs resulting from the waste industry.”