I've always had it in for UPS -- they've trashed my packages and wriggled out of paying me insurance more times than I care to count. So what if it was "contraband;" I still expect them to get it to the Thai smuggling ring on time and in one piece.
But I may have to rethink my position: Efficiency experts at UPS have virtually eliminated left-hand turns from all their drivers' routes. It sounds coo-coo bananas, but the practice has cut 28.5 million miles off its delivery routes, thereby saving three million gallons of gas and reducing their CO2 emissions by 31,000 metric tons. UPS used a "package flow" software program to optimize left-hand turn usage. Turns out all that sitting in the left lane, idling the engine and waiting to turn adds up when you factor in a fleet of 95,000 trucks.
I applaud UPS for making a fiscal efficiency decision that also has an added environmental benefit, but I'll applaud even harder if they can couple that with not breaking or losing my stuff. Seriously, sometimes I wonder why I don't send my packages by Pony Express -- that way, when the goods arrived trampled and smelling of manure, at least I know why.
Left-Hand Turn Elimination (NY Times Magazine)
Thanks, Elissa!
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