UPS uses advanced software programs and traffic analysis to avoid left-hand turns where possible to save time and money. ZDNet blogs that UPS saves $600 million annually with package flow technologies.
Barnes, a 29-year veteran of UPS who started sorting packages while in college, told me how UPS expects to save $600 million per year through package flow technologies, which will enable a reduction of 100 million travel miles in the U.S. alone, which equates to 14 million gallons of fuel, he said. The package flow optimization includes constant wireless communications via the DIADs, smart labels (including RFID in the future) and preloading vehicles and directing drivers according to advanced analytics that calculate the most efficient routes, including avoiding left-hand turns, based on the package load.
A post in the ZDNet forum explains why UPS might do this. A couples reasons the poster gives are that accidents are more likely with left-hand turns and left-hand turns take longer and burn more gas. It sounds like a small thing but since UPS delivers 14 million packages a day it probably adds up to big savings for the company. But avoiding left-hand turns is not likely to help an individual driver.
