UPS turns to software to cut down on left-hand turns

While it won't have quite the same effect that, say, converting its entire fleet to hybrids or all-electrics would have, UPS is apparently taking some steps to improve the efficiency of the 95,000 trucks it has on the road, including using software to cut down on the number of left-turns its drivers make. As The New York Times reports, in addition to improving the packing and sorting of its cargo, UPS's so-called "package flow" software program also maps out the best possible route for each of its drivers, which UPS says cuts down significantly on the time they would otherwise spend idling while waiting to make a left-hand turn. According to UPS, those improved maps helped it shave some 28.5 million miles off its delivery routes last year, which translates to a 31,000 metric ton cut in CO2 emissions, not to mention a savings of about three million gallons of gas.

[Via Slashdot]

[Electromodo @ Dec 12th 2007 2:16PM]

Wow! I would rather stop making left turns too! :))))

[Alex @ Dec 12th 2007 3:57PM]

from now on it's 3 rights or we turn the car around and go home.

[Wesburl @ Dec 12th 2007 2:18PM]

Right...

[MrEverdred01 @ Dec 12th 2007 2:22PM]

They should tell mapquest how they did it.

[lolol @ Dec 12th 2007 2:23PM]

Not that this will have even the slightest affect on climate change anyway, I guarantee that UPS didn't do this to decrease CO2 emmissions.

[Anthony @ Dec 12th 2007 2:36PM]

I don't know about the first part, but they definitely did it as a way to potentially shore up profits. They also raised their rates for 08.

$4.00/gal in some California places is is making it difficult. Not all their trucks run on natural gas.

[Mark Richardson @ Dec 12th 2007 3:48PM]

"Not that this will have even the slightest affect on climate change anyway, I guarantee that UPS didn't do this to decrease CO2 emmissions."
Dittos, my friends!

[teej @ Dec 12th 2007 3:53PM]

exactly. they did this just to increase productivity...more deliveries per 8-10hr shift. the truck is still running just as long (8-10hr shift), and the workers are still working the same hours, meaning the truck is running for the same amount of time. however, they may have reduced idle time waiting for left turns, but this application is only good in cities with a lot of one way streets like philly.

[Jason @ Dec 12th 2007 2:24PM]

As a youngster, my father taught me that "Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do"

[Ellianth @ Dec 12th 2007 2:28PM]

While we're remembering our pasts...

My daddy taught me the meaning of respect using his left and right hands!!

:p

[0150r @ Dec 12th 2007 3:09PM]

And two Wrights made an airplane.

[brandon @ Dec 12th 2007 5:32PM]

Two jokes stolen directly from the Slashdot discussion. Good work fellas, you could both be the new Carlos Mencia.

[Rocketboy @ Dec 12th 2007 6:05PM]

Not everyone reads nor cares what happens on slashdot. They didn't invent the jokes. Good work fella, you're now the new dolt.

[Jonathan @ Dec 12th 2007 2:27PM]

First with the Windows Feedback Program, and now this?

What is with year-old news, Engadget? UPS has done this for a long, long time.

[3rdsun @ Dec 12th 2007 2:55PM]

"According to UPS, those improved maps helped it shave some 28.5 million miles off its delivery routes last year, "

This quote illustrates that it was indeed done sometime ago, so trying to be a smart ass just turned you out.

[Blake Bowen @ Dec 12th 2007 3:06PM]

To be honest, engadget has been posting some ridiculously old news, like things that showed up on hack-a-day a month ago.

[teej @ Dec 12th 2007 3:54PM]

the emissions reports just came out?

[Grant @ Dec 12th 2007 5:16PM]

you usually report results, not plans to implement some wacky idea that may not work, have it fail, and have your company laughed at.

[Rocketboy @ Dec 12th 2007 6:07PM]

Ya maaaaannn.. UPS announced how much they saved in the first year when they first announced the program...

[Zoesch @ Dec 12th 2007 2:28PM]

Welcome to the Zoolander Postal Service

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 12th 2007 2:54PM]

zoesch officially wins.

[riggs @ Dec 12th 2007 2:41PM]

they say it like the ups drivers are going to take the directions into consideration.

[sean @ Dec 12th 2007 2:49PM]

Three rights make a left! I wan' go home!

[Dan Durand @ Dec 12th 2007 4:04PM]

Another box o' wine!

[GMack @ Dec 12th 2007 5:02PM]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought of the same story. Good to see some fans with brains around. Guess we wouldn't be "typical fans" though.

[Rocketboy @ Dec 12th 2007 6:08PM]

I was just talking to him...

[PG @ Dec 12th 2007 2:49PM]

Great! Now they can lose our packages even faster.

[JohnnyGTO @ Dec 12th 2007 2:51PM]

Wow left turns cause global warming! Who'd a thought.

[Student Driver @ Dec 12th 2007 2:51PM]

So, if we sell this to NASCAR would they become NHRAv2?

[3rdsun @ Dec 12th 2007 2:58PM]

If the left turn is the shortest route but the gps recommends right turn, who should you blame when your package arrives late

[Student Driver @ Dec 12th 2007 3:04PM]

Well, that only leads to the real problem, and that's bandwidth for Engadget. I mean, what happens when they get saturated with more stories on how GPS devices let UPS trucks into lakes, fields, and the occasional too-skinny-4-u alley? General stupidity or marketing genius? You decide (and look out for crazy U-turns by big brown trucks).

[dknight211 @ Dec 12th 2007 3:10PM]

I think they would save more money if they told their drivers to stop driving their trucks like a drag racer.

[senyl @ Dec 12th 2007 3:22PM]

My biggest surprise out of this is that by doing the math, those big ol trucks get about 9.5 miles to the gallon. I'd thought it would be less than that.

[Jack @ Dec 12th 2007 3:41PM]

This is definitely old news. But this only saves gas theoretically. The software has to make the route so that even if its longer, there should be less traffic lights. Its the traffic lights that cuz the idling, not the left hand turns.

[Willis @ Dec 12th 2007 4:26PM]

Not necessarily; for example, taking a left out of my apartment complex, you have to cross 2 lanes of traffic (coming from the left), pull into the turn lane, then wait for traffic from behind you to merge into that traffic. No traffic lights involved.

On another note, this move may make the route longer by "avoiding" left turns, but whatev. Doesn't mean UPS won't still treat my packages like a soccer ball.

[Billy @ Dec 12th 2007 3:48PM]

Hello! 2005 called and they wanted their news story back.

[dawookie @ Dec 12th 2007 3:51PM]

what is this new jersey?

[Speddy @ Dec 12th 2007 4:21PM]

What exit? Oh, you mean the land of jug handles and circles! (there are no compass directions in Jersey...only go there, take a left, go a bit up there, then take next right)

[Steven @ Dec 12th 2007 4:13PM]

Yeah but what do they do with the trucks in Europe theyve got to have a left turn program due to the oppisite driving

[shmengie @ Dec 12th 2007 4:24PM]

that should be the next feature for google maps directions: avoid left turns.

[Elmer @ Dec 12th 2007 4:29PM]

I read this same story about 2 years ago. Seems like UPS isn't realy up to speed with their nav software...

[Discosis @ Dec 12th 2007 4:31PM]

Whats the big deal about avoiding left turns, anyway...?

[Steven @ Dec 12th 2007 4:58PM]

you have to wait at the light to make a left turn and that cost TIME which in business translates into MONEY where as right turns can be made on red so less time waiting

[Discosis @ Dec 13th 2007 6:22AM]

I see ... The whole turning-while-lights-are-red thing seems to be an American thing. :)

[Craig @ Dec 12th 2007 5:11PM]

This sounds like a game I used to play on the way home from late parties/bars. Get all the way home without making any right turns. Usually worked out fine, sometimes we had to cut through car parks (parking lots). Good times. I've considered modifying our in-car GPSes to try a road trip/scavenger hunt based on such rules.

[Grant @ Dec 12th 2007 5:52PM]

outrun the cops, 10 points!

[Craig @ Dec 12th 2007 7:43PM]

More likely to confuse the hell out of them than actually out run anyone

[sarchi @ Dec 12th 2007 5:56PM]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92126461@N00/48577192/

[Grant @ Dec 12th 2007 9:04PM]

hey,
didn't i see her in 2 girls 1 cup?

[John Crane @ Dec 12th 2007 6:04PM]

Reducing the number of left turns would presumably INCREASE the miles driven, as they are taking a less direct (but faster) route. The article implies that avoiding left turns reduces the miles travelled. I'm guessing they are mixing two separate ideas.