PC*MILER 22 line updates truck restrictions, toll costs

PRINCETON, N.J. — ALK Technologies Inc. has released the PC*MILER 22 product line, the twenty second annual upgrade of its routing, mileage and mapping software solutions. PC*MILER 22 offers new and updated truck restrictions and allowances, toll costs by weight and axle, custom vehicle dimension routing, and real-time fuel optimization.

“We have significantly enhanced our truck attributes, resulting in an 84 percent increase in truck restricted roadway,” said Kara Jo Witkowski, senior product manager, business solutions for ALK. “With a 159 percent increase in the number of truck restrictions and allowances, PC*MILER 22 enhances operations and accounting functions. Our customers expect map data precision and with the release of PC*MILER 22 we have delivered that and more.”

PC*MILER|Tolls 22 includes truck-specific toll costs by vehicle weight and axle count. Exact tolls costs are calculated based on the departure location, vehicle dimension, route preference, type of toll (cash or discount program), and destination. A single user license with four quarterly updates is included at no charge for a limited time.

PC*MILER 22 also includes new features and benefits such as the ability to generate routes based on custom vehicle dimensions by height, length, width and weight to ensure that the most optimal route is calculated. The software is also equipped with an automatic update feature so that users can download software and data updates online quickly and easily.

Fuel Optimization is now included within PC*MILER 22, providing optimized fuel purchase plans based on daily prices.  PC*MILER|Fuel Optimization seamlessly integrates these fueling plans into PC*MILER routes, driving directions and maps, the company said. With constantly changing fuel prices, optimized fuel purchase plans can save 4 to 11 cents per gallon – a conservative average annual savings of $1,200 per truck. PC*MILER|Fuel Optimization is activated by purchasing a FuelAdvice.com account.

PC*MILER 22 now includes 1.8 million weight restrictions and allowances. Information was provided by state and local municipalities, and significant improvements were made across the U.S and Canada. Updates include critical changes in Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, North Dakota, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. PC*MILER 22 also features more than 2,800 new height restrictions.

“There are numerous cost pressures facing the industry today, so there truly is a need to base, or at least negotiate, rates based on reality,” said Craig Fiander, vice president, marketing for ALK Technologies. “PC*MILER 22 generates real miles and costs via Practical routing, plus other critical load parameters like Tolls, 53’ Trailer or Hazardous Materials, eliminating deliberate rating imprecision. The industry now has the ability to base rates and pay drivers on actual miles, to enhance profitability and calculate activity-based costs.”

More than 9.5 million infoUSA points-of-interest are now included within PC*MILER, including truck stops, rest areas, official weigh stations and CAT Scales. PC*MILER 22 also allows users to import custom locations such as company specific locations, pickup/delivery sites and customer locations. Additional enhancements include significantly improved map graphics and functionality.

PC*MILER runs on Microsoft Windows, Unix and Linux platforms as well as IBM AS/400, iSeries and System i midrange and mainframe computers. For more information, visit www.pcmiler.com.