Set vehicle capacity
Set each vehicle's capacity in its Vehicle Profile so Upper distributes stops without overloading any driver. Pair vehicle capacity with per-stop demand.
Capacity-aware optimization keeps the total demand on each route below what the vehicle can carry. You set a vehicle's capacity in its Vehicle Profile, define what "capacity" means for your operation in Settings, and give each stop a demand value. Upper then distributes stops so no driver leaves the depot with more than their vehicle can hold.
Why set capacity
Without capacity values, Upper treats every vehicle as if it has unlimited space. For a fleet that mixes larger and smaller vehicles, that can produce routes that overload the smaller ones. With capacity set, stops are spread so each vehicle gets a load that fits.
Before you start
- Plan — Capacity-aware optimization is available on the Optimize and Enterprise plans.
- Define your capacity dimensions first — Capacity is user-definable. In Settings > Customization > Capacity Fields, create the dimension(s) you want to plan around (for example, a "Bin count" field with a unit). You can define up to five capacity dimensions, and each can be marked required.
- You'll also need stop-level demand — Vehicle capacity only constrains routing when each stop carries a matching demand value (see How capacity works with stops).
A workspace can be configured so drivers appear as "technicians" and deliveries as "services." If your account uses those labels, the capacity workflow is identical.
Define your capacity dimensions
Capacity isn't fixed to a single built-in measure — you decide what to plan around (bins, crates, pallets, item count, or whatever fits your work).
Open Capacity Fields
Go to Settings > Customization > Capacity Fields.
Add a capacity dimension
Create a field for the dimension you want to track, give it a name (for example, "Bin count") and a unit. You can add up to five.
Choose how it aggregates
Set whether the dimension is required, and how it should be summed across a route (Total, Count, or Average).
Set capacity on a Vehicle Profile
Once your capacity dimensions are defined, enter each vehicle's limit in its profile.
Open Vehicle Profiles
In the left sidebar under Fleet Operations, open Vehicle Profiles.
Add or edit a vehicle
Use the + menu and choose Add Vehicle Profile, or open an existing vehicle's "..." (kebab) menu and choose Edit.
Enter the capacity value
On the Basic Info tab, find the Vehicle Capacity section and enter the value for your defined dimension (for example, the number of bins the vehicle holds).
Save
Click Save Changes.
The Vehicle Capacity section appears on the Basic Info tab only when capacity is enabled for your plan. If you don't see it, confirm you're on the Optimize or Enterprise plan.
How capacity works with stops
Capacity-aware optimization needs two pieces of data working together:
- Vehicle capacity — the limit you set in each Vehicle Profile.
- Stop demand — how much each stop consumes of that same dimension.
You set stop demand on the Capacity tab when you add or edit a stop (for example, the number of bins that stop requires). During optimization, Upper distributes stops so the total demand on each route stays within the assigned vehicle's capacity.
Use the same dimension everywhere. The capacity field you define in Settings, the value you enter on each vehicle, and the demand you enter on each stop must all refer to the same thing (for example, bins). If the vehicle is set in bins but stops carry no bin demand, there's nothing for the optimizer to balance.
Plan availability
| Plan | Capacity-aware optimization |
|---|---|
| Starter | Not available |
| Professional | Not available |
| Optimize | Available |
| Enterprise | Available |
Troubleshooting
Related
Set up vehicle compliance alerts
Turn on Vehicle Compliance Alerts in Upper to get email reminders 30, 15, and 7 days before a vehicle's registration, insurance, or inspection expires.
Set vehicle-specific restrictions
Constrain each vehicle's routes by height, width, highway and toll avoidance, curbside side, speed, and max stops on its Vehicle Profile in Upper.