The U.S. Postal Service’s has unveiled two programs it said could save as much as $2.8 billion on annual delivery costs.
The Flat Sequencing System is expected to bring flat sorting technology up to the same level of sophistication as letter mail by sorting flats, such as magazines, catalogs and other periodicals, into delivery order. The program seeks to place flats in delivery sequence within one or more five-digit zones.
“We’ll work with vendors to develop a machine to perform three key functions: Induct flats at high speed; automatically manage trays throughout the process; and sequence flats to delivery order,” said USPS vice president of engineering Tom Day, in a statement.
The second initiative, Delivery Point Packager, reduces the time carriers spend casing flats and delivering them by creating packages of mixed letters and flats for each delivery stop. Previous tests have shown a 20% reduction in the time required to deliver when mail is prepared in these bundles.
Day said testing on the new systems will begin next year.
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