Paragon has launched a fuel usage enhancement to its routing and scheduling software to allow logistics operations to compare planned versus actual levels of consumption.

This update to the Route Execution module means fuel data can be taken directly from a CANbus-integrated vehicle tracking system and analysed against predicted consumption figures, calculated during the planning process, to identify where route planning can be improved.

Transport managers will be able to use the insight to give immediate fuel efficiency feedback to drivers as well as generate bespoke usage reports for relevant stakeholders within the business.

Richard Street, development director at Paragon Software Systems, said: "The ability to use accurate weight data at both the transport planning and review stages provides an invaluable opportunity to take control of fuel management to reduce transport costs and carbon emissions.”

Paragon’s software uses payload, speed, vehicle type and kerb weight data to estimate the fuel usage for any journey.

With fuel consumption very much influenced by the vehicle load, the calculation takes account of the weight of cargo being collected and dropped off at every stage of a planned route.