B. DELIVERY POINT PACKAGING

In addition to the FSS activities, the Postal Service completed its evaluation of DPP concepts. DPP would combine letter and flat mail into one package and sort it into delivery sequence. A DPP strategy would almost eliminate carriers' in-office sorting time, reduce mail handling time during delivery, and provide more street time for the carrier to deliver mail to more addresses.

Four equipment DPP concepts were developed and simulated but none of them were deemed mature enough for further development at this time. Therefore, the Postal Service suspended the DPP concept development in 2005 in favor of the FSS platform.

2. Carrier Optimal Routing

This city carrier routing and travel optimization program, which is similar to those used by private sector delivery firms, is currently being utilized at numerous performance clusters across the country.

The Carrier Optimal Routing (COR) system is a computer program that uses algorithms to configure compact, contiguous, safe city carrier routes. It also uses algorithms and actual volumes from the city carrier route examinations to create efficient travel paths for city carriers while reducing park points and relays. COR was utilized successfully in over one hundred city carrier zones during the Spring 2005 adjustment period. COR is currently compatible with Delivery Operations Information System (DOIS) and receives delivery and route adjustment files directly from DOIS to complete route adjustments. COR Version 1.3 was deployed in July 2005 and it includes several enhancements.

3. Electronic Publication Watch System

The electronic Publication Watch (ePUBWATCH) system replaced the existing paper-based publication watch in those delivery units with computers. ePUBWATCH is a tracking tool and resolution system for Periodicals. Registered publishers can enter a subscriber's delivery-related complaint and request an electronic publication watch. After the subscriber's second complaint, an ePUBWATCH request is generated. In addition, by completing complaint resolution worksheets, publishers can also receive assistance from one of the area or district Periodicals service improvement coordinators. The third year in operation resulted in a steady increase in the number of registered publishers.

4. ADVANCE Notification and Tracking System

The ADVANCE Notification and Tracking System (ADVANCE) is a Web-based application developed to facilitate the delivery and tracking of qualified Periodicals and Standard Mail with specific in-home delivery windows. Delivery units receive advance notification of a mailing and must report when the mail is located at their delivery unit, when delivery begins, and when delivery is completed. Advance notification of time-sensitive mailings gives delivery units the opportunity to make any adjustments necessary to meet customer needs. ADVANCE provides delivery performance reports to mailers as well as confirmation of delivery to Postal management and mailers to ensure mailing requirements are met. In 2005 6.5 billion mailpieces were tracked using ADVANCE, which represents a 12 percent increase compared with 2004.

5. Collection Point Management System

The Collection Box Management System was replaced by the Web-based Collection Point Management System (CPMS). This Web-based system provides a monitoring tool for delivery unit managers to ensure adherence to collection box schedules and policies. The system consists of a data collection device that scans a barcode located inside a collection box to collect time, location, and date information. The information is collected by the mobile data collection device and allows management to quickly ascertain the status of each collection point. The deployment of the CPMS in 2005 eliminated 116 administrative sites responsible for the collection and forwarding of scanned data from field sites to the mainframe in San Mateo.

6. Mail Security

The Postal Service transformed the High Security Cluster Box Unit Program by working with manufacturers to redesign the units to increase the level of security and reduce the unit price. The Inspection Service recommended that 12 specific postal districts receive the new units based on a review of reported mail theft statistics. Subsequently, the Postal Service purchased 5,500 units for deployment to 10 of those districts. The new unit meets stringent security performance standards and will be more resistant to pry attacks and tampering. These units will be deployed in the Southeast and Southwest Areas as replacements for those destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In 2005 the Postal Service launched the Intelligence Sharing Initiative Web site. The Web site is part of a strategy to further enhance mail security cooperation between the Postal Inspection Service, financial institutions, and major mailers.