UPS Makes the Case For Simple Steps
It's the end of the day at the end of the week and the parking lot on Hollywood Boulevard between Argyle and El Centro looks like a UPS Swap Meet. 10 Trucks are parked in a tight arrangement that allows the drivers to quickly reallocate or distribute the packages remaining on their trucks.
In light of the recent spate of City, County, State, Metro and Utility vehicles that have been left idling on the streets of our community, I went into the parking lot and rode through the "herd" of UPS Delivery Trucks.
Not one of them was running. The engines were silent. I recognized a couple of the Drivers from the neighborhood and so I approached and asked them a few questions.
I asked if UPS has a policy about idling vehicles. They all laughed. "Ah, yeah. Turn it off!" They laughed. Apparently it's a stupid question with an obvious answer. At least to them.
I asked if fuel conservation is ever discussed. They laughed again. "All the time. We have regular meetings. It's not just wasting fuel but it's air pollution. We are always talking about strategies to improve."
I asked what they could do to reduce fuel use and air pollution. They didn't laugh but got serious and started talking over each other. "Good route planning, pick your parking spots carefully and centrally and then get out and walk, making more deliveries per stop. You gotta use your brain and you gotta use your feet."
I checked and sure enough, UPS has a very simple policy on idling vehicles. Turn it off.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the simplest step. At UPS, the importance of fuel conservation is demonstrated throughout the ranks with drivers playing an important role.Idling: 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.
When it matters, people will do the right thing. It's up to us to make it matter.