Set vehicle capacity defaults
Define your own vehicle capacity dimensions in Upper, then record those values on each stop so capacity-aware routing keeps every vehicle within its limits.
Upper lets you define your own vehicle capacity dimensions instead of locking you into fixed weight or volume fields. You create the dimensions that match how you actually load (for example, a bin count, a pallet count, or a parcel count), record the value each stop needs, and capacity-aware routing keeps every vehicle within its limits.
Why this matters
When your stops carry capacity data, capacity-aware routing avoids the situation where a vehicle is assigned more work than it can physically hold. The optimizer accounts for each stop's capacity value as it distributes stops, so a vehicle is not packed past its limit while another runs half empty.
Capacity-aware optimization is available on higher plans. Defining capacity fields and recording values on stops is the setup that makes it work.
Before you start
- Decide your capacity dimensions — Work out what you actually need to measure (bins, pallets, parcels, total weight, and so on). You define the names and units yourself.
- Have your per-stop numbers ready — You'll record a capacity value on each stop, so know what each stop requires.
Step 1: Define your capacity fields
Capacity fields live in Settings, under Customization. Each field is a dimension you want Upper to track.
Open Settings
From the left sidebar, go to Manage > Settings.
Open Capacity Fields
In the Settings sub-navigation, under CUSTOMIZATION, select Capacity Fields.
Add or edit a dimension
For each capacity dimension, set:
- Field title — The name of the dimension (for example, "Bin count").
- Unit — The unit it's measured in (for example, "unit").
- Is Required? — Whether the value must be filled in.
- Total / Count / Average — Optional aggregation columns, so Upper can roll the values up.
- On/off toggle — Turn the field on to use it.
You can define up to 5 capacity fields.
Save
Select Save Changes.
Name the dimension after the thing you load and constrain on, not after a generic measure. If you plan routes by how many bins fit in a vehicle, a "Bin count" field is more useful than a weight you never weigh.
Step 2: Record capacity on each stop
Once a capacity field is defined, you enter the value each stop needs on that stop.
Open the stop
Open the stop you want to edit.
Go to the Capacity tab
In the stop editor, select the Capacity tab.
Enter the value
Enter the value for each capacity dimension you defined (for example, the number of bins this stop needs).
Save
Save the stop.
You can also bring capacity values in with your stops when you import a file, by including a column for each capacity dimension. Match the column to the field you defined so Upper can read it.
How it affects optimization
When stops carry capacity values, capacity-aware routing accounts for those values as it distributes stops across your vehicles, so no vehicle is loaded beyond its limit. Stops without a capacity value give the optimizer nothing to weigh against, so make sure your stops carry the data if you want capacity respected.
Troubleshooting
Depending on how your workspace is set up, the app may show Technician and Service labels in place of Driver and Delivery. The features are the same.
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