Dispatching an empty move

An empty move allows you to relocate equipment without an order. For example, you may need to move a trailer back to a certain location after receiving maintenance in another location.

From within TMW Operations, you can use the Dispatch Empty Move command to create an empty move and assign resources to it.

You can select the command even when the Trip Folder and Planning Worksheet are not open.

image1 See it in action

To dispatch an empty move, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Operations > Dispatch Empty Move.
    The Assign Driver/Equipment window displays.

    The window is shown here with the fields at their default values:

    image2

    Note: The Save Warnings: Errors tab may display errors. These errors result because some fields in the Assign Driver/Equipment window require entries. When you make these entries, the errors should clear automatically.

  2. In the Resources/Assets/Status section of the window, make entries in these fields as needed.

    image3a

    Field Definition

    Tractor

    ID of the tractor

    Driver 1

    ID of the lead driver

    Driver 2

    ID of the co-driver, if applicable

    Trailer 1

    ID of the primary trailer if the move is a deadhead

    Trailer 2

    ID of the secondary trailer, if applicable for a deadhead

    Carrier

    Carrier ID, if applicable

    LghType1 and LghType2

    These user-defined fields allow you to categorize the trip segment based on classifications set up previously by your company. You can use the LghType1 and LghType2 labels in the Edit User Definable Fields window to customize the field names and classification options for the fields.

    Status

    Specify the dispatch status. The options are:

    • Planned
      Tentative resource assignments have been made, but the driver has not yet been informed of the assignment.

    • Dispatched
      Solid resource assignment has been made and the driver has been informed of the assignment; however, the trip has not yet begun.

    • Started
      The trip is in progress.

      Note:* This is the default status when the window is first opened.

    • Completed
      Assigned resources have reached the final destination.

    Beg Hub and End Hub

    Tractor’s odometer reading at the beginning and end of the trip
    Required only if you bill or pay by hub miles.

    Notes:

    1. After you select a tractor, the system will display the following information about the tractor in the Dead head start time, location and trailer(s) section of the window.

      • The tractor’s location in the at field

      • The tractor’s available date/time in the Start On field

        image3b

    2. No entries are required in the Dead head start time, location and trailer(s) section.

  3. In the First load/Shipper location and time for segment section of the window, make entries in these fields.

    image3c

    Field Definition

    Pickup on

    Date/time the empty move will begin

    with

    Event code recorded for the first stop on the empty move

    at

    ID of the company at which the empty move will begin

    Drop on

    Date/time when the empty move will end

    with

    Event code recorded for the last stop on the empty move

    at

    ID of the company at which the empty move will end

    Note: No entries are required in the Final Destination time and location section.

  4. Click OK.

    If there are no scheduling conflicts, the Empty Movement is displayed in the Trip Folder.

    image4

    If the system detects a conflict, it will display a message in the Save Warnings window similar to the example shown here.

    image5

    If the conflict is a critical one, such as an active Priority 1 expiration, or if resources are already started on another trip, the empty move cannot be saved until you resolve the conflict. For details on resolving problems, see Responding to warnings and fixing errors.