Driving innovation in logistics: how Trakm8 and Heriot-Watt transformed delivery optimisation
Home delivery has become a cornerstone of the UK’s retail economy. For supermarkets and major retailers, efficient route planning for fleets is mission-critical—impacting everything from cost and delivery times to environmental impact and customer satisfaction.
Route Monkey, a Scotland-based software company acquired by Trakm8 in 2015 for £7.1 million, had built a strong reputation for its route optimisation tools. However, as fleet requirements grew more complex—with demands such as accommodating electric vehicle (EV) charging or planning for two-person crews—the company recognised the need to go beyond conventional scheduling software.
To meet this challenge, Trakm8 turned to Heriot-Watt University and the expertise of Professor David Corne, an internationally recognised leader in optimisation and machine learning within the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences.
The solution
Professor Corne’s research focuses on multi-objective optimisation—solving complex problems with competing priorities, such as balancing delivery times with driver welfare, reducing vehicle usage, and cutting carbon emissions. Unlike traditional route planning tools that optimise for a single objective (such as cost), Prof Corne’s algorithm delivers a nuanced approach that better reflects real-world decision-making.
The algorithm was designed to:
- Incorporate charging time for electric vehicles, ensuring sustainability targets could be met without compromising service levels
- Accommodate two-person crews and other non-standard vehicle configurations
- Balance multiple operational needs, including carbon efficiency, cost, working hours, and vehicle usage
This approach not only provided deeper insights for fleet managers but created a commercial edge for Trakm8, enabling the company to offer faster and more flexible solutions to clients.
Impact and outcomes
The benefits of the partnership between Trakm8 and Heriot-Watt have been profound and far-reaching:
- Financial savings: The algorithm is now used by major retailers, including Iceland and another of the UK’s largest supermarkets. Since 2014, it has delivered more than £9.6 million in estimated savings for users.
- Environmental impact: The online version of the software, launched in 2018, has contributed to a reduction of 3,000 tonnes in carbon emissions, supporting national net-zero targets.
- Product integration: Trakm8 integrated the algorithm into its flagship Vortex optimisation software, making it a central feature of its commercial offer.
The collaboration was also a key driver in Trakm8’s decision to acquire Route Monkey—recognising the value of Heriot-Watt’s academic partnership in enabling competitive advantage.
David Corne is a leading academic in the optimisation space, and having direct access to his knowledge and capability allows us to leverage that advantage quickly in the commercial environment. We have an ongoing collaborative relationship with Heriot-Watt—some parts are tightly integrated, like David working with us, while other parts involve reaching out to the wider university to tackle specific problems or explore new ideas.
As someone who does research for a living, it’s very rewarding to work with a company directly, tackling real-world challenges. Working with Trakm8 has sharpened my understanding of the algorithmic developments most needed in their industry.
Long-term collaboration and legacy
The relationship between Trakm8 and Heriot-Watt has continued to flourish. A formal research contract was signed and has been renewed multiple times. As of April 2023, Professor Corne began working four days per week directly with the company on evolving its software solutions.
Other collaborative highlights include:
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership (2014–2018): A £238,000 KTP between Heriot-Watt and Trakm8, funded by Innovate UK and the Scottish Funding Council, enabled deeper development of vehicle-routing algorithms. View KTP record
- FreightShare Lab (2017–2020): A £651,000 Innovate UK-funded R&D project involving Trakm8, Heriot-Watt, and partners such as DVV Media and the Transport Systems Catapult. The project explored data-sharing across road and rail freight, building on research by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The WBCSD now cites this work in its procurement guidance. View UKRI project record
This enduring academic–industry partnership exemplifies Heriot-Watt University’s commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and commercial impact through deep collaboration. From reducing emissions and optimising delivery fleets to informing best practice in logistics procurement, the work with Trakm8 continues to shape the future of intelligent transport systems.