UPS Helper Dispatch Analysis

摘要

At the end of each calendar year, UPS sees an increase in the volume of packages. This increase is due primarily to the shipping of Christmas packages. This increased volume is far greater than the normally employed drivers are accustomed to. UPS hires helpers for each peak season so that this large volume can be handled. These employees are paid less than the drivers are, and work only half of the hours each day. There are two types of helpers: driver helpers and independent helpers. A driver helper will ride in the passenger seat of a delivery truck and at times separate from the driver to deliver packages. For example, the helper will walk down one street and deliver packages while the driver delivers packages to another street. An independent, standalone helper will work out of a garage, trailer, or apartment that is centrally located in his delivery area. Each day, large amounts of packages are delivered to the central location, and the helper will deliver all of the packages in their storage unit. This concept is ideal for apartment complexes, malls, downtown areas, and other situations where a large amount of packages will need to be delivered in a small area. A good example of this type of helper would be a trailer full of packages that needs to be delivered to an apartment complex. The helper will arrive and deliver all of the packages in that trailer to the residents of the nearby apartments. This type of helper usually uses a bike, hand truck, or other method to carry multiple packages at once. Though UPS uses these helpers heavily throughout the holiday season each year, no recent study has been done on the helper's effectiveness or how their utilization can be maximized. No true criterion exists on when a helper should be used or what type of helper should be used. Therefore, the helpers are not being used in the most economically effective way, which could be potentially costing UPS thousands of dollars each year.