Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02474276 2011-05-30
INTEGRATED NETWORK AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING
AND DISTRIBUTING ITEMS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to systems and methods for
the efficient transportation of objects from an origination point
to a destination point including, more particularly and in one
embodiment, an integrated system and method for transporting and
distributing mail objects from an origination point to a
destination point.
Backaround of the Invention
In fiscal year 2000, the United States Postal Service
delivered approximately 208 billion pieces of mail. The average
daily volume of mail delivered during fiscal year 2000 was 500
million pieces.
At present, the process of delivering the mail is a
relatively complicated one. That process can be broken down into
two components: (a) transportation and (b) distribution. The
term "transportation" as used herein is intended to refer to the
nodes and routes, which define the flow of mail (or other
objects) between plants/processing facilities (or other sorting
points). Transportation includes the inter-plant transportation
network and the plant to delivery unit networks. (A delivery
unit is a post office, station or branch that has mail delivery
functions to the point of final delivery for a mail item.) It
does not include activity within the plants themselves.
The term "distribution" as used herein refers to the
combination of equipment, processes and plants that sort mail (or
other objects). Distribution generally takes place between the
point at which originating mail is picked up from its point of
origin and the point at which it reaches its point of final
delivery.
The transportation of mail is assisted by the use of five
and preferably nine digit zip codes, which refer to defined
geographic areas. The first three numbers in a zip code define
zip code areas, and currently there are 932 different zip code
areas within the U.S. mail system. The zip code area defines a
larger geographic area than a five digit zip code, and the five
digit zip code defines a larger geographic area than the nine
digit zip code. For a nine digit zip, the area that it defines
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will be within both the five digit and three digit codes that it
contains. To date, the transportation of mail items has not been
configured around three digit zip code areas. (It should be
noted that references herein to zip codes and zip code areas are
not intended to be limited to the current system employed by the
United States Postal Service, but instead is meant to include the
use of any geographic code system, according to which geographic
areas are defined, and preferably at increasing levels of
specificity, through the use of a code system.)
It must also be noted that mail items come in varying
shapes. Examples of current mail shapes include flat-size,
letter-size, parcels, and outsides. Currently, plants process
more or less all shapes of mail. However, because
mail-processing equipment is generally shape-specific; i.e., can
only process one shape of mail item, it is inefficient to locate
in each plant every type of processing equipment. Moreover,
currently, transportation of mail is organized according to mail
class, rather than according to mail shape.
A need continually exists to improve and further optimize
the transportation and distribution process where a large number
of objects must be processed, including particularly in one
example a large number of mail objects. Such improvement may
rely on the use of three digit zip code areas, or the like, in
optimizing plant location. In addition, or alternatively, such
improvement may rely on the use of shape-based criteria in
organizing the transportation of mail items (or the like) between
plants and their distribution within plants.
The present invention satisfies these needs and provides
other, related, advantages.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved system and method for transporting and distributing
large numbers of objects in which plant locations are optimized
using three digit zip code areas, or the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved system and method for transporting and distributing
large numbers of objects in which shape-based criteria are
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utilized to organize the transportation and/or distribution of
mail items or the like.
Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a method for transporting and distributing a large number of
items from an origination point to a destination point is
disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a
plurality items to be delivered from an origination point to a
destination point; wherein a subset of the plurality of items has
a first shape; wherein a subset of the plurality of items has a
second shape; providing a plurality of plants; transporting at
least a portion of the plurality of items from a first the plant
to a second the plant wherein an identity of the second plant is
decided at least in part based on the shape of the at least a
portion of the plurality of items having the first shape; and
distributing the at least a portion of the plurality of items
having the first shape within the first plant.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a method for transporting and distributing a large
number of items from an origination point to a destination point
is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a
plurality items to be delivered from an origination point to a
destination point; wherein the items are mail items; assigning to
substantially all of the plurality of mail items a single
originating geographic code and a single destinating geographic
code from a plurality of geographic codes; providing a plurality
of plants; transporting at least a portion of the plurality of
mail items from a first the plant to a second the plant; and
determining an identity of the second plant at least in part
based on one of the originating geographic code and the
destinating geographic code.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a method for transporting and distributing a large
number of items from an origination point to a destination point
is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a
plurality items to be delivered from an origination point to a
destination point; wherein a subset of the plurality of items has
a first shape; wherein the first shape comprises at least one of
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letters and flats; wherein a subset of the plurality of items has
a second shape; wherein the second shape comprises at least one
of parcels and outsides; providing a plurality of plants;
transporting at least a portion of the plurality of items from a
first the plant to a second the plant wherein an identity of the
second plant is decided at least in part based on the shape of
the at least a portion of the plurality of items having the first
shape; and distributing the at least a portion of the plurality
of items having the first shape within the first plant.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following, more
particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a flow-style chart illustrating the mail supply
chain.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the mail processing
system at a general level.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
This invention is concerned with a system and method for the
efficient transportation of objects from an origination point to
a destination point. Preferably, the objects pass through an
intermediate sorting point, and are there sorted so as to aid in
the efficient transportation of the objects through the system.
In one embodiment, the objects are mail pieces. However, other,
non-mail objects, could also be transported from an origination
point to a destination point using the system and method of the
present invention.
The system and method of the present invention is intended
to accommodate the transportation and, in one embodiment, the
distribution, of extremely large numbers of objects. In one
preferred embodiment, the system and method may be used in the
efficient transportation and distribution of extremely large
numbers of mail items. The system and method of the present
invention, in one embodiment, is intended to optimize the
delivery of mail objects in such volumes as those experienced by
the U.S. Postal Service in fiscal year 2000. The system and
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method integrates the transportation and distribution aspects of
object delivery to achieve improved efficiency -- and
specifically an efficiency level greater than that provided if
transportation and distribution are treated in a non-integrated
manner.
Referring now to Figure 1, an illustration of the full mail
supply chain 10 is shown. It begins with mailing activities 20,
which relates to the mailing of mail pieces from the point of
origin. The next link in the chain is induction/collection 30,
where mail enters the mailstream. The mail is then processed for
transportation at outbound processing 40. The next step is
transportation 50 in the direction of the point of final
delivery. The mail is then subjected to inbound processing 60
and delivery 70. Finally, receiving activities 80 refers to
those in connection with the receipt of the mail at its point of
final delivery. Each step in the mail supply chain 10 is
necessary in the accurate and efficient delivery of large volumes
of mail items.
In one embodiment, the system and method of the present
invention utilizes three digit zip code areas to aid in efficient
transportation and distribution of mail items. Although there
are a number of other components, the backbone of the mail
transportation and distribution system is the plant/processing
facility. It is in these facilities that mail distribution,
i.e., sorting, takes place. Currently, there are approximately
450 plants in the system. The efficient transportation of mail
to plants improves the efficiency of both the transportation and
distribution systems. By ensuring that mail is routed to the
optimally located plant, transportation costs are reduced and
delays limited. Moreover, by ensuring that plants are
distributing mail within a proper region (as defined by the
assignment of specific three digit zip code areas to plants), as
opposed to distributing mail from beyond the proper region, the
distribution process as well proceeds in a more efficient manner.
In order to utilize plants optimally within the
transportation and distribution system, mail items are preferably
routed to plants based on the three digit zip code area of the
mail items. Thus, each three digit zip code is preferably
assigned to a single plant for origination processing (or for
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separation to a concentrator, discussed below). Each three digit
zip code is also assigned to one plant for destinating processing
(or transportation to a disperser, discussed below). In this
regard, plants are preferably receiving mail within one or more
three digit zip code areas, with the particular zip code areas
chosen being those most efficiently reached utilizing the
transportation system. In most cases, the zip code areas will be
those in the closest geographic proximity to the particular plant
but, where transportation efficiencies require otherwise, these
considerations will take precedence.
Optimal routing of mail to plants takes place at two points
along the mail supply chain 10. It takes place first at outbound
processing 40, where outgoing mail from three digit zip code
areas using optimization criteria is preferably routed to the
desired plant, based on the three digit zip code area of the
sender. It takes place a second time at inbound processing 60,
where inbound mail from three digit zip code areas using
optimization criteria is preferably routed to the desired plant,
based on the three digit zip code area of the recipient. Thus,
for example, a mail item from three digit zip code area 123 that
is travelling to three digit zip code area 456 may be routed to
plant A for inbound processing 40 because zip code area 123 has
been assigned to plant A, and to plant B for outbound processing,
because zip code area 456 has been assigned to plant B. (That
mail item may pass through intermediate processing facilities
between the outbound and inbound plants, as discussed below.)
As an additional element, the shape of the items transported
preferably also forms at least a component of process of
optimally locating and assigning plants, in addition to or
instead of the use of three digit zip code areas. Mail items
come in varying shapes. Examples of current mail shapes include:
(a) flat-size mail - mail that is within the dimensions of 15
inches long, 12 inches high, and 3/4 of an inch thick; (b)
letter-size mail - mail that is within the dimensions of 11 and
1/2 inches long, 6 and 1/8 inches high, and 1/4 inch thick; (c)
parcels - mail items outside the dimensions of flats and letter-
sized and fitting within a mail sack or container; and (d)
outsides - mail that cannot be placed into a sack or container
because of its size, weight, shape or contents. (Of course, it
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should be recognized that other shapes may be introduced in the
future, or may be practiced in other mail systems or in
integrated transportation/distribution systems of non-mail
items.)
Because mail-processing equipment is generally
shape-specific; i.e., can only process one shape of mail item, it
is inefficient to locate in each plant every type of processing
equipment. Accordingly, a preferred component of the system and
method of the present invention is that plants process only mail
of one or more (though less than all) shapes. For example, one
plant may only process parcels, another may only process flats,
yet another may process flats and letters, and so on. (Because
of the similarity of their shape, it will be preferred to treat
letters and flats in like manner.) This differentiation allows
advantage to be taken of economies of scale that may be achieved
by having mail of similar shape be processed in dedicated plants.
For less populous areas, it may be preferred to provide plants
that process most or all mail shapes. However, preferably, more
than a majority of plants in the system and method of the present
invention process mail based on shape, with the plant processing
fewer than all possible shapes.
When distribution is optimized based on shape by focusing
plants on only one or more but fewer than all mail shapes, it can
be seen that transportation between plants should also be
determined at least in part based on the shape of the items being
transported.
It follows from the use of shape-based distribution that,
where used in combination with three digit zip codes to optimize
transportation and/or distribution, it is preferred to assign
mail items from particular three digit zip code areas to more
than one plant, depending on the shape of the mail item. For
example, flats from zip code area 123 may be assigned to plant A,
while parcels from zip code area 123 may be assigned to plant B.
(Plant B, in this situation, may also be considered a
concentrator, discussed below, to the extent that it receives
parcels from zip code areas other than 123.) On the other hand,
it is preferred that all mail for a particular three digit zip
code first be transported to its assigned plant for shape
separation, with separated mail of particular shapes being
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transported to other plants (or concentrators) for further
processing as necessary. Thus, in the example, both flats and
parcels from zip code area 123 would first go to plant A for
separation, with flats remaining in plant A for further
processing and parcels being transported to plant B for further
processing.
Accordingly, the assignment of mail items to plants and
plant location is preferably based both on the three digit zip
code area and shape of mail items processed therein -- though it
may be based on only one of these criteria.
Plant location and assignment according to three digit zip
code areas and shape is preferably determined through a four step
modelling approach. In Step 1, a preliminary network design is
developed. In this step, the optimal level of shape
differentiation is determined, as well as three digit zip code
assignments -- with cost driving the process.
While the plants are the backbone of the system and method,
the network preferably has other components as well. AS part of
this analysis, the role of other actors should also be
considered. Referring now to the block diagram of Figure 2,
illustration is made at a general level of the mail processing
system 200. From an originating plant and distribution ("P&DC")
202, mail may be transported to a processing concentrators 204
(facilities that receive originating mail from plants for
processing), then to a transportation concentrator 206
(facilities that receive originating mail for the purpose of
consolidating transportation), next to a transportation disperser
208 (facilities that receive destinating mail from multiple
origination points for dispersement to local processing
dispersers or plants), from there to a processing disperser 210
(facilities that receive destinating mail and perform destinating
sorting for a set of plants), and then to a destinating P&DC 212.
The optimal number and location of concentrators 204 and 206 and
dispersers 210 and 212, as well as their assignment to particular
plants, is preferably determined as part of Step 1.
In Step 2, the strategic direction is refined based on
scenario analyses and feedback from management in the field.
During this step, assumptions and results are validated, and
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overall strategic direction for the remainder of the modelling
process is determined.
In Step 3, implementation modelling occurs, with a finalized
network being developed. Step 4 is a simulation, in which the
outputs of Steps 1-3 are tested using simulation modelling.
The modelling process yields a network having desired efficiency
for an acceptable cost. The modelling process should,
preferably, be software-assisted, given the complexity of the
problem and the large number of potential variables. It should
also consider different "what if" scenarios that might impact on
the network, including for example the unanticipated closing of a
plant or other facility.
Another aspect of the system and method concerns the
physical transportation of mail (or other objects) within the
network. In this connection, it must be noted that mail items
are currently differentiated, in addition to by originating zip
code, destinating zip code, and shape -- by classification. Mail
classes presently include first-class mail, Priority Mail,
Express Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail (A) and Standard Mail
(B), though of course these may change and/or other mail classes
may be introduced to the system. Different mail classes have
different transportation needs. For example, Express Mail items
need to be delivered faster than first-class mail items.
(Because mail processing machines can efficiently process
different classes of mail of a certain shape, plants should
preferably not be limited by class unless efficiency will be
promoted by such assignment in a particular situation.)
AS noted above, concentrators and dispersers are preferably
used between plants to assist both with transportation and
distribution. To provide for more efficient transportation, it
is preferred to assign to each plant a concentrator and disperser
for each mail item class, unless the plant handles that class
itself.
While, in a preferred embodiment, the system and method of
the present invention may be utilized for the transportation and
distribution of mail items, it should be understood that it could
be used for the transportation and distribution of non-mail items
as well. In the event of such application, certain substitutions
to the elements of the method and system of the present invention
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will be made, as necessary, to permit use with non-mail items.
For example, instead of three digit zip codes, some other
designation may be used to identify origination and/or
destination of items -- including for example state or geographic
region (e.g., city, county, country, multi-state region, etc.),
store or other component in the network, or the like -- for
purposes of assigning shipment items to plant locations. Instead
of shape, processing may be differentiated by some other criteria
concerning the non-mail item and/or its packaging that will allow
economies of scale to be effectively utilized, such as weight,
shelf-life, or the like.
