When the long way around is the best shortcut
Take the shortcut. It’s faster. Or it’s shorter. However, getting both of those from one shortcut isn’t as common as it used to be. After all, cities expand and small towns grow. There will be traffic. Sometimes thick, sometimes random and always aggravating. Most couriers see traffic as a part of doing the job. It’s inconvenient, and time consuming, but it can be managed. Fortunately, modern day couriers have a few good tools to help with this.
Every courier has been there at least once. A better than average offer pops up in the delivery queue. Then the courier quickly examines the details, and accepts the offer. Maybe everything goes well and it’s the homestretch, when it happens. A traffic jam. One of the surprise pop up traffic jams. Running into one of these is a pain. And it’s a little late for the long way around. Getting caught in one of these types of traffic jams with no way out, is a delivery buster.
With this in mind, it only takes about one of those traffic jams to help a courier remember to check the highway. Preferably before leaving the merchant. Furthermore, it’s easier to plan an alternate route while sitting still. Although it may not feel like moving quickly, sometimes a deliberate pause makes all the difference. Especially when it’s about traffic safety.
The Long Way Around
Let’s rewind for a quick moment. Back to when the courier arrives at the merchant. The courier is there to pick up the delivery order from the merchant. If the order is ready, great, the courier can acknowledge it in-app. However, if the courier has to wait for a few minutes, no worries. This small, paused window, is a great time for route research. If there has to be a route adjustment, now is the most efficient time to study it.
The slow down might feel like sitting still, however it gives the courier a chance to examine the map. Furthermore, it’s the traffic that is important. And the courier is into the directions anyway. Therefore, if the highway is part of the route, the traffic details can make all the difference. For example, the road conditions along the route. Or if there are any problems, like broken down vehicles. Additionally, an accident may have occurred. There are real time alerts in most maps, and every little bit helps.
This is when it helps to know about the traffic. Just before driving out into it. And in some apps it’s also possible to see suggested alternate routes. Almost every courier has seen them. There are sometimes three different alternate routes. Selecting the most direct route is better than the long way around. However, it is also possible to select alternate routes.
The Best Shortcut
It’s straight like the crow flies. The route that goes straight to the drop-off location is an obvious shortcut. Yet when it’s compared to the alternate routes, it just seems like the shortest route. In fact, it might appear that the long way around is a better choice. And this might be for several different reasons. Maybe the long way around is all highway, which means a greater consistent speed.
Add to this the other alternate route, and things feel even more shaky. The direct route is straight there, but has hills and many turns and curves. The first alternate route is longer, but may move faster because of higher speed limits. And the third option is near the same as the other alternate route. It’s another long way around, but on the other side of the city. If there is good news, and there’s no traffic jams, the courier need only select a route.
This is when the courier’s choice comes into play. It’s a learning experience either way. Memorize the chosen path, and the next time there are choices, there is now more data. Perhaps the long way around is the actual shortcut. There’s only one way to find out. Stay safe out there.
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