Shorter Days, Longer Routes: Adjusting for Darker Afternoons

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Daylight saving time ends on November 1. For delivery crews working into the late afternoon, that means the day gets dark earlier than before. It also lines up just as the holiday delivery volume is starting to climb. 

That puts more of each route in low light, along with hazards like dim entryways, unlit stairs, and house numbers that are harder to spot. A few adjustments can help crews stay safe and on time as the days get shorter.

Magliner aluminum hand truck parked on a rain-soaked lot under a glowing neon trading post sign

Sequence the Route Around the Light

Dispatchers can reorder routes so the heaviest and trickiest drops happen earlier in the day, while there's still good light at the curb and the door. Lighter stops with simple access fit well at the end of the route. 

A hand dolly rated for loads up to 500 pounds handles those smaller late-day drops quickly, so drivers can finish the route without rushing.

Delivery driver rolling stacked boxes down a Magliner aluminum ramp from a box truck

Work Safely Up and Down Steps After Dark

Poor lighting at a back door or stairwell makes footing harder to judge. When a stop includes stairs, a powered stair climbing dolly can carry the load up and down the steps while the operator guides it, so the delivery person can focus on footing instead of the weight. 

Consider equipping delivery drivers with headlamps, as well. A simple LED headlamp can reveal previously unseen hazards during any delivery. It's all the more valuable for going up and down poorly lit stairs. 

Magliner powered stair-climbing hand truck carrying a beer keg down a concrete stairwell

Match the Right Delivery Tool to the Job 

Even with a resequenced route, drivers will still handle mixed loads after sunset. Adaptable hand carts with two-wheel dolly functiongive them one tool for the whole range.

A convertible hand truck works as a two-wheel dolly for stacked cartons and switches to four-wheel platform mode for larger, bulkier, or more awkward loads, which adds stability when visibility is poor.

About Magline

Magliner hand trucks give commercial teams a dependable way to move heavy and awkward loads, from navigating retail backrooms to delivering heavy appliances. The lineup covers two-wheel dollies, convertible hand trucks, heavy duty appliance hand trucks, powered hand trucks, and powered stair climbing dollies. Built from lightweight aluminum with a modular design, Magliner hand trucks make part replacement simple, and many models can be customized for the work your crew does every day.

Equip your team for shorter days and busy routes at https://www.magliner.com/

This article was originally published on magliner.com’s blog here.

Location: United States

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