Five Essential KPIs to Make the Logistics Yard More Efficient

The management of logistics yards is no longer just an operational activity and has become a key part of the companies' supply chain strategy. Recent data show that the inefficiency in the supply chain directly impacts the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the logistical cost jumping from about 12.3% of the GDP in 2017 to an impressive 18.4% in 2023, according to the main research in the sector (FDC, ILOS). 

According to Eros Viggiano, founder of LogPyx, a technology company in logistics management, This historical increase underlines the urgency to adopt indicators and technologies that transform the yard, today a bottleneck of queues and waste, into an efficiency center capable of reversing this trend and restoring competitiveness: “an efficient yard is not just about technology. It is about discipline, well-defined processes and clear indicators that allow identifying bottlenecks and acting proactively”, he highlights.

Para isso, Viggiano It has separated five KPIs that stand out as essential for measuring, monitoring and improving the yard's performance.

1. KPI 1 – Patio cycle time (gate-to-gate turnaround time)

Measures the interval between check-in and check-out of vehicles in the courtyard. This indicator concentrates all the frictions of the flow and is considered central to assess efficiency. Monitoring averages, medians, maximum and minimum times, P95 and standard deviation allows identifying bottlenecks by carrier, type of cargo or dock. Reducing this time means higher flow, lower operating costs and fewer stay penalties.

2. KPI 2 – Adherence to schedule appointment adherence

It reflects the percentage of vehicles served within the planned window, measuring the discipline of partners and the capacity of the yard to comply with slots. The ideal is to achieve ≥85% of on-time rate and no-show below 10%. Incentives, penalties, digital confirmations and intelligent over-allocation help keep this indicator under control. Without adhesion, the cycle time becomes unstable and unpredictable.

3. KPI 3 – Effective use of docks (Dock Usage & Throughput)

It evaluates the percentage of time the docks are in productive operation and the productivity in units or tons per hour. Idle docks While there is a queue, they indicate process failures, impacting personnel and costs. Charge Compatibility, Cluster Scheduling, Team Balancing, and Pre-Assembly Orders are actions that improve this KPI.

4. KPI 4 - Cost and penalties of stay

It concentrates the expenses generated by waits beyond the franchise, provided for in contracts or in Law 13,103/2015 (Trucker Law). Reducing this cost by 20 to 30% by 90 to 180 days is possible with the discipline of agenda, agile screening and digital processes. Clear contracts, well-defined responsibilities and checking of excessive dock times are typical actions to positively impact this KPI.

5. KPI 5 – Seasonality of Occupancy of the Courtyard

It analyzes occupation variations over days, weeks and months, allowing to identify peaks and low periods. With this indicator, it is possible to plan resources, adjust teams and create differentiated windows in times of greater movement. Integration with commercial and supply areas ensures better balance and efficiency in critical periods.

When all these KPIs are accompanied together, they give a clear view of how the yard is working. “With accurate data, we were able to reduce queues, cut costs and make the operation more predictable. The yard is no longer just a waiting space and becomes a center of efficiency”, says Eros Viggiano. Scheduling schedules and cycle time show whether vehicles are flowing quickly; docks use reveals bottlenecks; stay costs show the financial impact of delays; and the analysis of the occupation over time helps to plan better teams and resources.