Every Little Bit Helps at UPS

Every little bit helps.

You wouldn’t think of something as benign as avoiding a left-hand turn could conserve fuel, but Atlanta-based United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) swears by it. In fact, the parcel carrier has technology in its systems that map this out routes that minimize the number of left turns the driver has to make. According to spokesperson Steve Holmes, avoiding left turns at intersections reduces idling which in turn lowers fuel consumption. “It seems small, but when you multiply it across 88,0000 vehicles making nearly 15 million deliveries every day during the course of a year, it adds up.”

And at stop lights, making a right turn at an intersection tends to be faster than at a left turn, since you have only to wait for an opportunity to turn in one lane of traffic. You also have the option of “right on red” in most jurisdictions. “So even if you didn’t save fuel, you’re going to move more quickly through a route.”

“Because 98% of our packages are processed electronically by shippers, we know what’s entering our system each day, what’s still in our system each day, when each package is going to arrive at a center, when the package is scheduled for delivery — including time of day — and where it will be delivered,” Holmes says.

What’s more, Holmes says, UPS drivers are trained to always turn off their package cars when they stop for a delivery, never idling at the curb or in a driveway. “Even if the driver is out of the truck for a few seconds, the vehicle is always turned off.”

UPS has the industry’s largest fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles – some 20,000 trucks powered by compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane and electricity. The company has been testing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydraulic hybrid technology in partnership with the EPA and others. Since 2000, the alternative-fuel fleet has traveled more than 126 million miles. 50 hybrids were added this year, which allows UPS to use a smaller diesel engine than would be required in a conventional delivery truck, thus saving on fuel and pollution-causing emissions. A battery pack, motor/generator and power control system are added, which allows electric power to be fed into the powertrain when conditions demand it, providing further savings. The trucks have lithium ion batteries, which offer a faster re-charging capability and last longer than batteries hybrids.

The company also uses over 19,000 low emission conventional vehicles. They run on gas- and diesel but employ the latest technology and manufacturing techniques to reduce emissions.