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The technology, which UPS calls package flow technology, has now been implemented in more than 50 percent of the UPS buildings serving the Greater Washington, DC area. Over the past 18 months, this has shaved roughly 464,000 miles off the normal route structure in the Washington area, saving over 51,000 gallons of fuel and reducing annual CO₂ emissions by 506 metric tons.

“As a transportation company, fuel is a necessity. But we have the technology now to better conserve fuel and operate more efficiently,” said UPS District Manager Joe Tringale. “And the ability to optimize our business with technology directly helps protect the environment as well.”

Package flow technology consists of hardware and software that leverages the digital information created when package labels are produced and then scanned repeatedly throughout the UPS system.

Consequently, UPS route planners have remarkably detailed visibility and advance knowledge of the packages that will have to be delivered to Washington area homes and businesses the next day. By “pushing” this data into a software program that plans driver routes the night before, UPS can map out routes that require the fewest number of miles to complete. The technology also helps ensure each package goes on the right truck, reducing missed deliveries and thus the need to drive back to an area a second time.

“When fully implemented in 2007, UPS estimates it will reduce the 23 million miles driven each year in the D.C. area by more than 1 million miles,” said Tringale. “This will conserve 112,000 gallons of fuel and emit 1,100 fewer metric tons of CO₂ annually.”

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

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