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Language Foundation

ATD

ATD, short for actual time of departure, is the date and time when a shipment or the vehicle carrying it actually leaves its departure location.

In plain English

This marks the real moment movement begins from the place of departure. It records the actual date and time when the shipment, or the vehicle carrying it, physically leaves. It distinguishes what truly happened from what may have been planned.

In context

Here, ATD reports the date and time when the shipment, or the vehicle carrying it, actually left its departure location.

Situation
Coordinating freight quotes, booking, consolidation, handoff, and transport documents
What it communicates
reports the actual departure timing after the shipment leaves.

Meaning limits

By itself, ATD does not show whether the departure was early, late, or on time.

Examples

“The truck was due to leave at 06:00, but its ATD was 06:18.”

Core meaning

“After the lorry left the depot, the dispatcher recorded the ATD.”

In context

  • departure time Broader Term

    This is a more general term that can include actual, scheduled, or estimated departure times.

  • scheduled departure time Contrast

    This refers to the planned departure time, not the recorded time when departure really happened.