Match factor is a dimensionless ratio that compares the arrival rate of haul trucks to the service rate of the loading equipment like excavators or shovels. A match factor of 1.0 means the fleet is perfectly balanced, with trucks arriving exactly as the loader is ready. A value below 1.0 means the loader is waiting for trucks, while a value above 1.0 indicates trucks are queuing and wasting fuel.
Heard on the job
We need to add another truck to the circuit because our match factor dropped to 0.75 and the shovel is sitting idle.