Dispatch Board
The Dispatch Board is your central command screen for managing active loads across your fleet. It provides a live, at-a-glance view of all current shipments, their statuses, and the drivers and vehicles assigned to them. From the board, you can assign loads, track progress, and take quick actions to keep freight moving.
Note: Access to the Dispatch Board requires the Dispatch Manager role. Additionally, the dispatch module must be activated at the company level. If you do not see the Dispatch section in your menu, contact your RouteMate account manager to enable it.
Viewing Active Loads on the Board
Section titled “Viewing Active Loads on the Board”To open the Dispatch Board:
- Navigate to Dispatch > Dispatch Board from the main menu.
- The board displays all active loads in a list or card view, depending on your preference.
Each load card or row shows key information at a glance:
- Load number — The unique identifier for the shipment.
- Status — The current stage of the load (see status descriptions below).
- Driver — The driver assigned to the load.
- Vehicle — The truck and trailer assigned.
- Origin and destination — Pickup and delivery locations.
- Pickup and delivery windows — Scheduled times for each stop.
- ETA — Estimated time of arrival at the next stop, updated in real time based on the driver’s location.
Tip: Use the search and filter options at the top of the board to narrow down the view. You can filter by status, driver, date range, or customer to focus on exactly what you need.
Assigning Loads to Drivers and Vehicles
Section titled “Assigning Loads to Drivers and Vehicles”To assign a load from the Dispatch Board:
- Find the load you want to assign (it will typically have a status of Available).
- Click on the load to open its detail panel.
- Select a driver from the driver dropdown. The list shows each driver’s current availability and remaining HOS hours, helping you make informed assignments.
- Select a vehicle (truck) and optionally a trailer.
- Confirm the assignment.
The driver receives a notification on their mobile app with the load details, pickup instructions, and any attached documents.
Tip: Check the driver’s remaining HOS hours before assigning a load. RouteMate shows you how many driving hours each driver has available, so you can avoid assigning a load that the driver cannot legally complete.
Load Status Tracking
Section titled “Load Status Tracking”Every load moves through a lifecycle of statuses. Here is what each status means:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Available | The load has been created but has not yet been assigned to a driver. |
| Dispatched | The load has been assigned to a driver. The driver has been notified but has not yet started. |
| Active | The driver has started the load and is in transit or actively working on pickup/delivery. |
| Completed | The load has been fully delivered and all stops are finished. |
| Delivered | The freight has been delivered to the final destination. |
| Interrupted | The load was paused due to an issue (e.g., mechanical problem, weather delay, HOS timeout). |
| Cancelled | The load was cancelled before completion. |
| Broke Down | The vehicle assigned to this load has experienced a breakdown. The load may need to be reassigned. |
The Dispatch Board updates statuses in real time as drivers report progress from their mobile app.
Quick Actions on the Board
Section titled “Quick Actions on the Board”The Dispatch Board supports several quick actions to help you manage loads efficiently without leaving the main view:
- Reassign — Move a load from one driver to another if the original driver becomes unavailable.
- Cancel — Cancel a load that is no longer needed. You will be asked to provide a reason.
- View details — Open the full load detail panel to see all stops, documents, and communication history.
- Contact driver — Quickly reach the assigned driver through the messaging or notification system.
- Add notes — Attach notes or instructions to a load for the driver or other dispatchers to see.
Tip: Keep the Dispatch Board open throughout the day as your primary work screen. The real-time updates mean you always have a current picture of your fleet’s activity without needing to refresh.