ALK Technologies Inc. announced the release of PC Miler 24, its updated routing, mileage and mapping software solution. Users now have access to a least-cost routing feature to generate optimal routes based on custom fuel efficiency settings, operating cost settings and other corporate priorities. Also included is a greenhouse gas emissions estimator to factor in carbon footprint calculations.
PC Miler 24, which optionally calculates precise toll cost modules, now displays entry and exit toll plaza names in route calculations to help reconcile discount program toll charges. PC Miler 24 also can consider rail intermodal routes for comparison of truck and intermodal mileage, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
“ALK is pleased to offer accurate least-cost routing based on real-world customer-specific factors,” says Kara Jo Witkowski, senior product manager of PC Miler solutions for ALK. “PC Miler 24 enables carriers, shippers and 3PLs to make intelligent routing decisions on the highway or across transportation modes based on overall efficiency and company policy.”
To that end, updated points of interest in PC Miler 24 can display small, medium and large intermodal ramps throughout the United States and Canada, as well as LCV/tandem trailer lots. The intermodal analysis feature within PC Miler 24 Spreadsheets connects PC Miler 24’s highway and rail products.
PC Miler can generate mileage and directions based on a vehicle’s height, length, width and weight. Now PC Miler 24 enhances that functionality with a new custom vehicle profile feature that enables a fleet to categorize an individual vehicle’s type, dimensions and cost/time settings as a named group so that settings will be consistent within that group and can be changed with one click going forward.
The most significant routing and map data enhancements include:
• 332,000 new 53-foot and national network routing restrictions and designations;
• Enhanced 53-foot/twin trailer routing network that includes nondesignated road warnings and map visualization;
• 627,000 new and updated truck restrictions and allowances for a total of 3.52 million;
• 13,000 new urban road designations that keep commercial vehicles out of city centers and on more appropriate beltway roads;
• 64 new U.S. ZIP Codes, including coverage of 15,300 additional cities and towns plus free quarterly U.S. ZIP Code updates; and
• Updated toll cost calculation based on 29 discount toll programs in the United States and Canada, including five new programs (with optional PC Miler Tolls).
Additionally, PC Miler 24 contains several new features, including scrolling and dragging tools on the RouteMap for easier map navigation. Users can use the mouse’s scroll wheel to zoom in and out, providing more city and street detail as you zoom in. Augmented import of pickup, delivery and other locations streamlines manual trip entry. Similarly, location data can be exported as text or spreadsheet files for audit or backup.
