How to Reduce Dwell Time with Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS)

In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, operational efficiency often determines the difference between staying competitive and falling behind. One of the most costly yet often overlooked contributors to inefficiency is dwell time—the period assets spend idle at a facility without making progress toward their next destination.

Whether it’s a trailer waiting at a loading dock, a pallet sitting in staging, or equipment unaccounted for in a warehouse, excess dwell time drains productivity, reduces asset utilization, and erodes profit margins.

Enter Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS), a transformative technology that provides actionable visibility into asset movement and location. It empowers organizations to pinpoint bottlenecks, streamline operations, and drastically reduce dwell time.

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What is Dwell Time—and Why Does it Matter?

Dwell time is when equipment, vehicles, or goods remain stationary at a particular location before continuing through the supply chain. For example:

• A truck waits two hours at a distribution center to be unloaded.

• A forklift idles because the location of its next task is unknown.

• Inventory left in staging because of a delay in processing.

While each instance may seem minor in isolation, they add up quickly. According to industry estimates, excess dwell time can result in:

• Increased detention fees from carriers.

• Poor asset utilization and throughput.

• Higher labor and operational costs.

• Customer dissatisfaction due to delayed shipments.

 What is a Real-Time Location System (RTLS)?

RTLS is a system that automatically identifies and tracks the location of objects or people in real time. Using a mix of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, GPS, or cellular technologies, RTLS provides continuous, location-based insights across indoor and outdoor environments.

In supply chain and logistics, RTLS can be used to:

• Track trailers across yards and docks.

• Monitor forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material-handling equipment.

• Provide visibility into inventory location from warehouse to distribution center.

How RTLS Helps Reduce Dwell Time

1. Automated Arrival and Departure Detection

With RTLS-enabled tags on trailers or containers, facilities can automatically detect when an asset enters or leaves a specific zone. This eliminates manual check-in/check-out processes, ensuring accurate timestamps and reducing administrative delays.

2. Dock Door Visibility

RTLS can show which loading bays are occupied, which are available, and how long assets have been waiting. This allows dock managers to prioritize unloading/loading, avoid congestion, and keep trucks moving.

3. Yard Management Optimization

Finding the right trailer or container in large yards can waste precious time. RTLS provides a digital map of asset locations, enabling staff to find and retrieve assets quickly—improving turn times and reducing unnecessary yard dwell.

4. Bottleneck Identification

By analyzing movement data over time, RTLS can reveal consistent areas of delay—whether it’s a particular zone, process, or shift. This empowers continuous improvement initiatives and process reengineering efforts.

5. Better Scheduling and Labor Allocation

Knowing when assets arrive, how long they’ve been waiting, and where they are allows for more innovative scheduling. Teams can be allocated dynamically based on real-time demand rather than estimates.

Real-World Impact

Organizations that have deployed RTLS for dwell time reduction report tangible improvements:

• Up to 30% reduction in trailer dwell times.

• 15-25% improvement in asset utilization.

• Fewer detention fees and reduced carrier wait times.

• Increased throughput with no additional headcount.

For example, one national retail distribution center implemented BLE-enabled tags across their trailer fleet and integrated RTLS with their yard management system. The result? A 22% reduction in average dwell time and improved scheduling accuracy for inbound and outbound shipments.

Choosing the Right RTLS Solution

When evaluating RTLS providers, consider:

• Indoor + outdoor visibility: Choose systems that seamlessly track across environments.

• Battery life & durability: Especially critical for mobile assets and harsh conditions.

• Integration capabilities: Can the solution connect with your WMS, TMS, or ERP?

• Scalability: Will the solution scale with your operations as they grow?

Link Labs, for instance, offers hybrid RTLS solutions that combine BLE, GPS, and LTE-M. These solutions allow continuous visibility from the warehouse to the delivery point while maintaining long battery life and low operating costs.

Final Thoughts

Reducing dwell time is no longer just about productivity—it’s about profitability and competitiveness. Real-time location Systems offer a scalable, data-driven approach to identifying delays, optimizing operations, and maximizing asset efficiency.

As the pressure mounts to do more with less, RTLS provides a clear path forward: real-time visibility for real-world impact.