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Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

priceonomics.com

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Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#101

Post by jonemo »

PakG1 wrote: post #71
kristiandupont wrote: post #12

In Denmark, the term højresvingsulykke (right turn accident) is common, meaning when a car, typically a truck, turns right and hits a bicycle. Lots of people are killed from this every year. One theory is that it is primarily foreign truck drivers who are not accustomed to the high number of cyclists in Copenhagen. When I initially saw the title, I was expecting it to be a mistake and actually say "Why UPS Trucks Don…

In most, if not all, cities in Canada, this is why we're told to always check our right-side blind spot before we turn right. Don't know how it is in Denmark. A quick Google search tells me that Denmark doesn't have such a law. Not sure why they don't, it makes total sense.

Not looking over your shoulder when turning will give you an instant fail in the driving test in Germany. In the US most states' drivers manuals recommend looking over your shoulder but most people don't do it. I tend to blame it on the fact that there exists no mandatory driver education and driving tests are almost impossible to fail.

When I paid several thousands of Euros for mandatory driving school in Germany I was very annoyed about the high price tag, but seeing on a daily basis how safety and efficiency of traffic is compromised when no system to educate drivers is not in place, I am glad I had a chance to go through it.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#102

Post by jonemo »

eli wrote: post #32
rudedogg wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's reversed in the US. Lots of accidents occur when people make a left hand turn and don't see a motorcycle/bicycle going straight in the oncoming lane.

Indeed. A big problem in DC is cars making U-Turns (i.e. a hard left turn) and cutting across the bike lanes that run along the center of Pennsylvania Ave.

I think this can be generalized to: Turning and/or crossing lanes results in more potentially dangerous situations than traveling within a traffic lane.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#103

Post by jonemo »

Agathos wrote: post #63
mistermann wrote: post #37

Id very much like to know why they don't send a text+email prior to a physical delivery so I can confirm whether I will be home to take delivery and potentially offer a reroute address or simply say do not attempt, rather than the current approach of making three unsuccessful attempts.

You can register your address at ups.com and have them reroute or hold it before the first attempt.

... for $5 a pop.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#104

Post by jonemo »

jonalmeida wrote: post #93

For people who don't live in North America: If you're at a stop, you follow a "free right" rule where you're allowed to go right even if the traffic lights are red, but as long as there aren't pedestrians crossing. I can see the free-right policy also being a major factor in this as well but I don't see it mentioned.

What most people in North America seem to conveniently forget about this rule: You have to come to a stop first.

Another piece of trivia about free right: In all of New York the free right is allowed as long as no "No turn on red" is posted. In New York City, however, the free right is prohibited unless a "right turn on red" sign is posted.

In Germany the NYC-style free right exists, with a small sign showing a green arrow on black background indicates that free right is allowed.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#105

Post by PeterisP »

edemay wrote: post #51

Could this inform urban planning? Shouldn't we ban left hand turns more often for everyone?

In my city, many largest streets have left turns prohibited at all minor crossings - if you're "getting off the main road" and need to be on the opposite side, then three rights is the only way to get there.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#106

Post by supergirl »

fennecfoxen wrote: post #79
ams6110 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I cycle, I never pass a car on the right at a crossroads. Even if they are not signaling a right turn. Regardless of who has the right of way there, I am going to lose a vs. a car.

Indeed. The right of way is indeed cold comfort when you're DEAD. Of course, some times you'll be approaching a crossroads and a car will be approaching it faster and pass you just in time to run you down. :) This is why I have a bell on my bicycle, and ring it any time I have a shadow of an excuse. (I recommend spending a few dollars extra and getting a nice bell that you like the sound of.)

don't count on the bell. it can barely be heard from inside a car

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#107

Post by chmars »

euphemize wrote: post #70
chmars wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt that lots of bicyclists get killed this way every day in Denmark. Sure, it's a risk and there're certainly accidents and deaths, but many and every day in a relatively small country?

He mentioned "every year", not "every day".

Thanks, my (embarrassing) mistake!

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#108

Post by oneeyedpigeon »

ritchiea wrote: post #85
bunkat wrote: post #64

I have a friend that is a UPS driver and he always rolls his eyes when somebody mentions this to him. UPS trucks definitely turn left. Sure the delivery order generally tries to reduce left hand turns, but on the routes that he drove he saw very little difference in the route when comparing them before this 'change' and after it. The biggest cost savings were done by reducing the driver and truck counts and paying th…

Actually if you read the entire article it addresses the fact that while UPS finds most left turns inefficient there are some instances where their routing software recommends a left turn.

but the article claims a ratio of 9-1 in favour of right turns, whereas the comment you're replying to implies it's much less than that.

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#109

Post by claus1860 »

will_work4tears wrote: post #78
bunkat wrote: post #64

I have a friend that is a UPS driver and he always rolls his eyes when somebody mentions this to him. UPS trucks definitely turn left. Sure the delivery order generally tries to reduce left hand turns, but on the routes that he drove he saw very little difference in the route when comparing them before this 'change' and after it. The biggest cost savings were done by reducing the driver and truck counts and paying th…

I always get a mental jolt when I see a UPS truck turn left because of this "rumor" or perception or whatever it is. I certainly see it, and remember it when it happens because of the idea that they never do turn left.

Interesting article! I remember watching the mythbusters episode on it. It all depends on what's more efficient routing wise. Time is money. Not all left turns are bad...

Re: Why UPS Trucks Rarely Turn Left

#110

Post by andrewaylett »

Dwolb wrote: post #65
DirtyAndy wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm working on this exact issue with a delivery company currently. The biggest question they have is "would you pay for it?". Would you pay extra to receive a message to advise of delivery time, and would you pay extra to have that delivery delivered at another time or elsewhere? Whilst missed deliveries are costly they obviously don't feel that is justification enough to develop a better solution.

My own personal opinion is no, I wouldn't pay for this service. However, maybe the costs can be driven down by simplifying the solution. Instead of 'deliver wherever the customer wants,' only present the customer three options: 'Receive at home,' 'Receive at work,' 'Don't deliver, I'm out of town'. This solution perhaps reduces the complexity in customizing delivery location (fewer possibilities), pushes down deliver…

Some of the consumer delivery firms that Amazon use in the UK have started texting the night before (or early on the day) with the option to either delay delivery or to deliver to alternative -- but the alternate delivery address must be in the same postcode (between 1 and ~20 houses) so no re-routing is required.
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