The latest news from Amazon that it is pausing a test of a service that would compete with UPS and FedEx reflects the strain that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on last-mile delivery logistics.
UPS is working on a global safety initiative that is designed to address several global road safety issues, including driver training and pedestrian safety.
UPS will implement a new predictive analytics tool later this year designed to analyze details about its logistics network in order to meet the demands of e-commerce shopping and competition from FedEx and Amazon, and better manage its fleet.
UPS lowered the frequency of accidents in its 119,000-vehicle delivery fleet in 2017 by 1% to 8.95 accidents per 100,000 hours of driving as it progresses toward its goal of reaching a rate of 8.75 accidents by 2020, the parcel delivery operator announced in its annual sustainability report.
UPS has announced plans to deploy 50 plug-in electric delivery trucks designed from the ground up as part of a collaboration with Workhorse Group.
The Teamsters union is seeking to prevent UPS from using driverless vehicles or drones to deliver packages, the latter of which the parcel delivery company had already performed a number of tests on, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Tom Camp has driven more than 1 million miles for UPS without an accident and achieved a feat no other company driver has achieved — a spotless 55-year safety record.
UPS will begin using a medium-duty delivery truck that uses gaseous hydrogen to power an electric battery and motor in Sacramento, California, with an eye toward expanding use of the alternative fuel after a successful test.
UPS said it will invest more than $90 million in natural gas facilities and vehicles, including fueling stations, compressed natural gas trucks and liquefied natural gas vehicles.
Drones are popping up everywhere, including in package delivery fleets. Workhorse Group is currently in the testing phase with its drones for use with the company’s electric delivery trucks.