Computerised Posties

The UK’s postmen and postwomen are having their rounds assessed – by a computer program called ‘Georoute’.

Georoute is routing software, designed to maximise efficiency of collection and delivery arrangements for postal operators. Royal Mail is using Georoute to help improve efficiency by ensuring that routes are well planned.

There are potential problems however. Some postal workers say that it will be used as a method of timing walks without taking into account varying weather conditions and indeed the working speed of any particular postie, let alone extras like recorded or special delivery items which take extra time. Some even claim that it can be as much as an hour out.

To be fair, Georoute isn’t human. It can only work with the information supplied to it and since it doesn’t actually do deliveries itself, it does lack that all imprtant human factor. One wonders if the expence of introducing it will make sufficient savings to make it worthwhile but clearly its difficult to allocate or change existing postal walks purely on a paper map.

Computers are extraordinarily good at working out complex calculations that would tax even Einstein but to be really accurate, the software needs set figures to work from. Variables can only create ‘averages’ at best. The concern for postal workers is that it will be used to create set time frames in which they are expected to carry out their duties, that doesn’t take into account the variables, and could mean they are not paid fairly.

One postman said:

“Our walk times were calculated by georoute. Every walk was less than 3.5hrs even though half the walks are being completed on overtime. We were told that the calculation was based on the ordinance survey map – centre of road to the door. What I want to know is what else is it based on? Are the number of steps to a door included? What about hills, weather conditions, recorded/special deliveries, packets etc?

I have 512 calls on my walk allowing an average of 30secs/door to cover walking from one door to another/people answering the door/deadwalking etc. This equates to 4hrs 16mins – not under 3.5 hours.”

Another postman said

“Some walks in offices are easier than others and I think anything that levels the playing field for postal workers is a good thing – as long as it is used sensibly. A foundation of computer data is that it is only as good as the person inputting it, and that foundation has to be in line with reality (ie steps, hills etc).”

On the surface these seem valid points but others inside Royal Mail say that workers have nothing to fear and that Georoute will help Royal Mail provide a far more efficient delivery and collection service. The makers of Georoute (Giro Inc) claim it has saved anything up to 5% on deliveries and up to 15% in other areas.

“Postal operations involve several types of collection and delivery, and thus several routing problems. Mail delivery is especially complex, often involving a combination of travel modes. Parcel delivery and courier service present a challenge because locations to service change everyday. GeoRoute’s ability to meet these requirements reflects GIRO’s work with some of the world’s larger postal administrations over the last 15 years.”

In any event, it seems unlikely that Georoute is being rolled out purely to make postal walks fairer but ‘efficiency’ has been a buzz word since the 1980’s and its one that Royal Mail is keen to focus on.