Which principle in routing matches vehicle with route characteristics?

• A. Route balance
• B. Separation
• C. Distribution
• D. Prioritize

Answer: (A)

Route balance is about pairing each vehicle with routes in a way that the workload is evenly distributed and the route’s demands fit what the vehicle can handle. When you match a long, heavy-haul route with a vehicle built for higher payload and endurance, and assign shorter, local routes to smaller, more maneuverable vehicles, you maximize fleet utilization and keep service levels steady. This approach prevents overloading one truck while another sits idle, improves fuel efficiency, and helps maintenance and scheduling stay predictable.

Separation isn’t about aligning resources to route needs. Distribution focuses more on spreading shipments rather than ensuring each route’s characteristics match a suitable vehicle. Prioritize deals with the order of actions or tasks rather than the fit between a vehicle and a route.