WMS, Warehouse Labor & Fulfillment worked example

Travel Time Savings at 50% realized travel reduction: a worked example

This worked example runs the travel time savings numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 50% realized travel reduction instead of the typical 70%. Estimate the labor dollars recovered when optimized pick paths and slotting cut walking time across a fulfillment shift.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Picks rerouted per shift: 4,000 picks (held at the documented default)
  • Labor cost per pick saved: 0.18 $/pick (held at the documented default)
  • Realized travel reduction: 50 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 70)
  • Slotting setup fee: 1,200 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Total savings = picks rerouted x labor cost per pick saved x realized reduction% + slotting setup fee.
  • Total travel time savings cost works out to 1,560 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Travel time savings cost per unit works out to 0.39 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable travel time savings cost works out to 360 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed travel time savings adder works out to 1,200 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where realized travel reduction sits at 70% and the headline result is 1,704 $, this scenario comes in 8.45% below the baseline at 1,560 $.
  • Use it when building the business case for a slotting change, a golden-zone re-slot, or a WMS travel-optimization module before you commit picker hours. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total travel time savings cost: 1,560 $ (headline result)
  • Travel time savings cost per unit: 0.39 $ / piece
  • Variable travel time savings cost: 360 $
  • Fixed travel time savings adder: 1,200 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Travel Time Savings calculator, set realized travel reduction to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.