This is a general list of measures (also known as metrics and possibly KPIs – depending whether they are Key or not).

Note, not all of these are likely to be Key indicators. The general recommendation seems to be that each manager or responsible person should be looking at no more than 10 key indicators. However, many of these may be the subject of occasional review or cross-company benchmarking.

Driver Performance

General

• Punctuality: attendance at place of work.
• Daily vehicle state.
• Maintenance vehicle state (where driver is sole or main user of vehicle).

Driving

Most of these measures may apply

• Fuel efficiency (miles per gallon, km per litre etc).
• Harsh braking.
• Harsh acceleration
• Fast cornering
• Idling time (absolute or as % of stationary time).
• Over-revving (inappropriate use of gears).
• Speeding.
• Number of accidents (major/minor).
• Number of parking offences.
• Number of moving traffic offences.
• Out of sequence deliveries.
• Late deliveries (count and also degree of lateness).
• Speed of loading/unloading.
• Unauthorised stops.

Adherence to Plan

Customer Service

Note: it may be worth grouping these measures according to customer type – for example “Class A” customers and so on. It may also be worth cross-referencing the problems to driver or vehicle loading crew.

• On-time
• In full
• Damaged goods
• Wrong delivery
• Failed delivery (with reason, e.g. “customer not there”)
• Complaints

Vehicle

Vehicle measurements should be cross-referenced to driver (where practical), vehicle make, model and age. Hostile climates/environments may also need to be taken into account.

• Fuel efficiency
• % maintenance inspections failed
• % overdue inspections
• % defects rectified within 24 hours (choose your own period).
• % days available

Loading

• % overweight (actual)
• % over capacity – detected during loading
• Number of HDR (Hazardous goods) or similar infringements.
• Dangerous or loose during transit.

Planning

These measures indicate the quality of planning. There will be significant variations in applicability and absolute value of the indicators from industry to industry or company to company.

Trip Structure

• % empty running
• Drops / trip
• Trips / day
• Drops / day

Loading

• % fill by
  • Volume
  • Weight
  • Floor space
  • Pallet or other container count

Time

• Vehicle hours per day used
• Driver hours per shift used
• (Un)loading at depot (minutes or as %)
• (Un)loading at customer (minutes or as %)
• Waiting at depot (minutes or as %)
• Waiting at customer (minutes or as %)
• Waiting for driver (minutes or as %)

Overall

• % of vehicles multi-shifted
• Number of vehicles used
• Number of drivers used
• Total distance
• Total hours

Costs

NB there is some discussion as to whether costs can be KPIs – because they reflect multiple sources of data input and are composite measurements.

• Per unit delivered – by item, weight or volume
• Per delivery
• Per order
• Per customer (e.g. where customers have fixed number of orders per week).

Vehicle Costs

• Per mile / km
• Per ton(ne)
• Maintenance

Driver Costs

• Per shift
• Amount of overtime