Why your Australia Post delivery driver is now being tracked
Postal giant Australia Post has announced it will roll out new technology, which is designed to keep delivery staff and drivers safe this festive season.
As online shopping has surged throughout the pandemic, Australia Post expects a record-breaking Christmas and is using a technology called Telematics.
The Telematics technology, which Australia Post has called "cutting edge", transmits data, video and safety information from small electronic devices.
The devices are installed in thousands of electric delivery vehicles, motorcycles, vans and trucks, which will help identify hazards, educate drivers, and reduce risks on the road.
Delivery vehicles also now have access to duress buttons which pinpoint drivers’ locations in the event of an emergency or incident.
Telematics systems, which are being installed across all of Australia Post’s fleet, also have sensors which provide safety analysis.
Everyone plays a role in keeping posties safe
Australia Post Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Graham said that while any technological advancement in safety was welcomed there was always a role for people to play in keeping posties safe.
“We want all of our people arriving home safely at the end of their day,” Mr Graham said.
“We’ve learned a lot about what our people face out on the roads thanks to this technology. It's going to be crucial in reducing serious incidents which is why we’re rolling it out widely across our fleet.
“While we’re doing everything we can to keep our people safe, we’d urge Australians to also keep an eye out for their local postie, because they’ll be out there delivering more than ever as we ramp up to Christmas.”
Mr Graham has also urged Australians to ensure their dogs are secured on their properties, and to keep a look out for Australia Post vehicles on the road this busy Christmas season.
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Australia Post launches Covid-safe facility technology
Australia Post has also announced the launch of leading-edge Smart Badge technology in its facilities.
Over 10,000 Australia Post employees have been forced into isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting the implementation of a new technology.
The Smart Badge technology, which can be worn around the neck or on the wrist, manages Covid-19 contact tracing and social distancing requirements, streamlining the close contact identification process for any affected employee.
The wearable technology, while providing instant contact tracing and social distancing alerts, also collects real-time data to manage site capacity.
Australia Post has commented in an article that this technology is “vital in helping keep as many of Australia Post’s people as possible processing and delivering this Christmas.”
Online shopping data shows shocking 12 month spike
According to Australia Post data, Australian online shopping has increased 3.5 per cent in the last 12 months.
Online shopping has been growing the fastest in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory with purchases up more than 42.4 per cent and 68.4 per cent respectively during October.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Business, Government and International, Gary Starr said that Australia Post are doing their best to equip themselves for the busy Christmas season.
“We’ve got over 45 new and repurposed operational and retail sites up and running, additional planes in the air, over 4000 new team members coming on board, and we’re delivering on weekends when and where we need to – all to ensure we can get parcels to our customers as quickly as possible,” Mr Starr said.
“In recent months over half of all households across the country (5.8 million) have consistently been shopping online, driving national online purchase growth for the 12 months to the end of October to more than 18 per cent when compared to last year.
“From our latest customer research, we know this growth will continue with over two-in-five shoppers intending to buy their Christmas presents online this month, making November the most popular month for online Christmas shopping.”
The postal giant has also announced that many missed deliveries will automatically be taken to 24/7 Parcel Collection lockers, to keep foot traffic flowing in stores and streamline the collection process.
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