Extreme weather delivery and choosing the best route
The best route isn’t always the shortest one. Likewise, the best delivery isn’t always the one with a large tip. However, that doesn’t mean larger tips aren’t great. Furthermore, shorter routes are always a benefit in a delivery. Couriers look for the quickest path because the key to increased earnings is more delivery opportunities.
With this in mind, there are some occasions when a delivery meets a delay. There are many reasons for delivery delays. From snafus at the pick-up merchant, to traffic jams, there are so many ways for a delivery to stall. Additionally there can be outside influences. For example, extreme weather. This one is a real test of the courier’s skills. And follow through. Extreme weather deliveries are no joke. They require concentration and road experience. Particularly when dealing with severe storms that create damage.
Storms, and extreme weather, are direct obstacles to a timely delivery completion. Furthermore, the conditions can be so bad that the courier’s personal safety is at risk. This is when several things can happen simultaneously. The first is the slow down. Extreme weather delivery has a slower pace. In fact, there are times when the weather is so bad the courier moves at a snail’s pace.
Extreme Weather Delivery
The snail’s pace isn’t always a choice. There are times when traffic stalls because of the extreme weather. Likewise that creates a natural slow down. And in the worst case scenario, a delivery stall. This is almost unavoidable in certain situations. If the courier is taking a chance on the weather, unpredictable things will occur.
Road closures and power outages. These are a couple of the aftereffects of extreme weather. Road closures, and alternate routes, take additional time. Especially if the courier has to make up an alternate route on the fly. If there is an alternate route. In extreme cases there is no alternate route. This can also lead to a canceled delivery. It relies on how much storm damage there is, and if the roads are passable.
When extreme weather strikes, it impacts more than just the road. Sometimes a merchant experiences difficulties from power outages. Other times Point of Sale systems go down. Similarly orders may face a delay. Or, in some cases, not found. All of these things can create the perfect storm. So to speak.
Choosing the Best Route
The best route is relative. It also has alternative routes in the GPS navigation. Depending on the mapping system, more than one route is possible. Couriers default to the shortest route. Similar to the draw of a porch light at a drop-off location, couriers seek the shortest route. However, there is an exception to this rule. There are important considerations.
Sometimes the shortest route isn’t the best route. Therefore the courier must choose an alternative. However, this isn’t always an ideal process. Alternate routes are filled with pitfalls. And delays. Not only does an alternate route cost additional time, but also more resources. Furthermore, there is an impact to the courier’s ratings. Particularly from being late to the pickup location. This one ratings ding, can turn into two, easily. If the courier doesn’t hustle, the drop-off will also be late.
The extreme weather delivery isn’t for every courier. In fact, if the idea of being in lightning and torrential rain feels daunting, it might be best to avoid it. Experienced couriers also make these decisions. Extreme weather delivery isn’t for every courier. Furthermore, the courier needs a vehicle that can withstand the challenges of roadway debris, torrential rain, and midnight runs in the same. More on that one in the next article. Stay safe out there.
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