Paragon Software Systems has launched Route Control to help delivery drivers avoid traffic hot spots and HGV-restricted zones.

The system uses pre-set rules to automatically route HGVs clear of major public events and to ensure roads with lorry bans are avoided, lowering the risk of incurring penalty fines.

"Traffic congestion is a major issue for those delivering goods to our shops and homes," said William Salter, managing director of Paragon.

"Computer software plays a big part in planning the best possible route for each vehicle.

"However, transport planners spend considerable time amending plans to accommodate conditions that can delay or even prevent a journey.

"If a driver doesn't follow the planned route, then further time needs to be spent working out whether those deviations were legitimate or not."

Paragon's Route Control software is set up with details of events using a calendar, which can be stored and re-used.

Algorithms within the software then calculate the best driver schedules every time.

In addition to major public events, the software can also be used to manage time-related local authority restrictions on HGVs in cities around the world, such as LLCS which bans lorries more than 18 tonnes late in the evenings and during the weekends.

"Transport operations that ensure goods are delivered on time are complex," added Salter.

"Creating rules that allow for legitimate deviations from the normal fastest route at specific times by vehicle type reduces the level of manual intervention required by the transport planner, and ensures that the schedule reflects what is actually happening on the roads.

"After talking to transport and logistics industry players about the challenges they face, our team of software developers has now built the functionality to help them 'close the gap'."