Shorter Days, Longer Routes: Adjusting for Darker Afternoons
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. 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. 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 sta...