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How do Empty Miles get Calculated?

Empty miles in LoadAi represent the distance a driver travels without a load, typically between their last activity and the next pickup. These are calculated differently depending on the view (Trip Panel, Engine Recommendations, or Grid View) and on the data received from the TMS. This article explains how empty mileage is derived and what logic LoadAi applies in each scenario.

Table of Contents

  1. Overview

  2. When Its Used

  3. Step by Step Instructions

  4. Tips & Notes

Overview

Empty miles in LoadAi represent the distance a driver travels without a load—typically between their last activity and the next pickup. These are calculated differently depending on the view (Trip Panel, Engine Recommendations, or Grid View) and on the data received from the TMS. This article explains how empty mileage is derived and what logic LoadAi applies in each scenario.

 

 

When Its Used

Understanding how empty miles are calculated is essential when:

  • Reviewing driver efficiency in the Trip Panel

  • Evaluating Engine Recommendations for planning

  • Investigating trip data in Grid Views

  • Auditing costs and utilization where unloaded travel impacts profitability

 

 

Step-by-Step: How Empty Mileage is Calculated

 

1. Trip Panel & Engine Recommendations

  • Empty miles are always calculated from the driver’s last operation to the new pickup.

  • This calculation uses OSRM (Open Source Routing Machine) based on the lat/long of the last known stop and the new pickup location.

  • This is an estimated value, and does not rely on TMS data.

 

2. Grid Views (Trip Assignments Only)

  • Empty mileage is shown only when a trip is assigned.

  • The calculation follows a hierarchy based on TMS data received through data sync:

    Hierarchy of Logic:

    1. Explicit Empty Mileage (from TMS)

      • If the load or trip has a specific empty mileage value provided, we use this in place of any other logic.

      • This overrides any internal calculation.

    2. Explicit Empty Movements or Empty Loads

      • If the TMS sync includes an empty movement object (e.g., deadhead leg) or an empty load, LoadAi uses the mileage from that object.

      • These are treated as valid segments and their distance is counted.

       

    3. Implied Empty Movement (OSRM Estimate)

      • If neither of the above is available, LoadAi will infer the empty segment based on the driver’s prior activity and the next pickup.

      • This is again calculated using OSRM and lat/long, and may differ slightly from TMS values due to estimation.

       

     

Tips & Notes

  • If you notice discrepancies between LoadAi and your TMS for empty mileage, check whether your TMS is providing explicit empty moves or values.

  • Inferred values are approximations and intended to fill gaps when no TMS data is provided.

  • Empty mileage is not calculated for unassigned trips in the grid as there is no associated previous activity.

  • For improved accuracy, ensure your TMS integration includes full trip and movement data, especially for empty segments.