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Take it from UPS: Left turns waste gas

07/03/2008

By driving 2 billion miles a year, UPS has learned a thing or two about how to save fuel. The Sandy Springs-based package carrier — the largest in the world, by the way — operates 93,637 vans, delivery trucks, tractor trailers and motorcycles. Of those, only 1,629 use alternate fuels.

With fuel becoming the carrier's No. 1 expense, conserving the precious petroleum product has become a top priority for Big Brown.

As Americans prepare to drive to the fairgrounds, the mountains, the beaches and beyond for the Fourth of July, here are three tips from the pros.

Avoid left turns. UPS routes are designed to avoid left turns. Idling while waiting to turn left wastes time and gas. This tip shaved 29 million miles off its U.S. drivers' routes last year, saving UPS more than 3 million gallons of gas. At $4 a gallon, that's a $12 million savings.

Reduce idling. UPS practices a "no idling" policy — no matter how short of a stop a UPS driver makes, the engine is turned off. By reducing idling time by 24 minutes a day, UPS can save $188 per driver per year.

Plan your route. For errands or trips, plan a route that doesn't backtrack. Find the quickest and most direct route with a map or Web site.

Rachel Tobin Ramos

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rachel Tobin Ramos, http://www.ajc.com/search/content/business/stories/2008/07/03/ups_gas_tips.html