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[Navigating the urban jungle: Hong Kong’s couriers are walking the last mile] => 穿梭城市森林：香港速遞員徒步完成運送使命
[In one of the most developed cities on the planet, delivering a package requires a surprising blend of high-tech and mundane solutions.] => 置身全球數一數二的已發展城市，派送貨件需要巧妙結合領先科技與平凡人事。
[Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated and technologically advanced cities on the planet. It is also one of the most well-connected, considered as one of the busiest airports and container ports globally, and powered by internet speeds that are among the world’s fastest.
Getting through the city’s traffic to deliver a package, however, is still a herculean task. Hong Kong has long faced the problem of heavy congestion, exacerbated by limited space to expand roads and an increasing number of vehicles. Its solution has been to build a public transportation network that includes ancient trams, outdoor escalators, buses, pedestrian-only spaces, and subway trains.
This interlinked network has led DHL Express Hong Kong to a logical conclusion, that the most effective and sustainable way to reach its customers is on foot. Armed with specially-designed courier bags, pushcarts, and handheld scanners, DHL’s “walker” couriers navigate the urban jungle, relying on a combination of technology and time-worn wisdom passed on by more experienced colleagues.
Finding a solution to Hong Kong’s unique address system
As with elsewhere, work has never been busier. Prior to the global pandemic, e-commerce was already booming, and the increasing reliance on online shopping sites has only accelerated its growth.
Since 2020, logistics companies have had to deal with a record-breaking number of package deliveries. Over 131 billion parcels were shipped in 2020, a 27 percent increase from 103 billion in 2019. With a rising number of small parcels requiring door-to-door deliveries in residential areas, there is also increased reliance on delivery companies to get their parcels to customers on time.
In search of more solutions for the last mile, DHL Express has adopted various initiatives such as self-collection services to minimize the number of door-to-door deliveries needed. On the technology front, the company has adopted sustainable methods such as electric vehicles, and drones to access remote areas.
But it is to the ‘walkers’ that much of the load is given. Typically, walker couriers in other countries are used to make deliveries to more secluded places. Hong Kong’s walkers, on the other hand, are trained to find their way around the city, winding in and out of narrow alleys and densely-populated crowds.
Navigating the urban areas on foot, however, comes with its challenges. Moving through the complicated routes around Hong Kong can be overwhelming, especially since the city uses a non-standard postal-code system.
“Deliveries are particularly challenging for our walkers because here in Hong Kong, we don’t have postal codes to pinpoint exact locations,” said Boris Chui, Vice President, Operations, DHL Express Hong Kong. “Initially, we relied on our more experienced sorters who knew all of the 380 routes and their respective boundaries by heart to manually sort the parcels according to different districts.”
However, by 2016, the rise of e-commerce had prompted an increase in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) shipments, and the workload soon became difficult for the sorters to manage.
To take the pressure off the sorters, DHL Express Hong Kong put together a project team to design a sorting optimization software called the Inbound Route Search system.
As there were no precedents in other territories, the team of nine representatives from IT and Operations had to acquire a full repository of Hong Kong addresses to build a database of routes, before applying a sophisticated mapping algorithm to derive the corresponding route codes.
The team spent eight months researching the project, conducting several live trials at various service centers to test out their new product - an efficient handheld scanner that provides a one-click solution that would allow sorters to identify and map out routes.
“The Inbound Route Search system has improved our operational efficiency. In December 2021, we further enhanced our mapping algorithm and raised the derived rate of successful deliveries to 65 to 90 percent,” said Chui. “Our more experienced sorters now analyze and update new buildings and addresses regularly, so the number of incorrect and unresolved addresses will be reduced and our database will become increasingly accurate with time.”
A day in the life of a walker
As far as possible, each walker courier’s route is planned ahead of time. The couriers start their day by gathering at DHL’s service center, where they are assigned their sorted routes.
Before they depart from the service center to make their daily deliveries, the walkers conduct small team meetings with their managers, team leaders, and other couriers to discuss the locations they will be delivering to.
“For Hong Kong’s walkers, safety is a concern, as they need to be wary of pedestrians and heavy traffic when crossing crowded roads,” explained Chui. “To avoid busier routes and minimize exceptions in deliveries, the walkers rely on their more experienced colleagues to share their knowledge of certain areas which are more difficult to navigate.” The walkers then craft their routes based on the team’s collective understanding of each district.
Following their discussions, the walkers are transported on a DHL van and dropped off at designated meeting points in the city. Each walker then sets out on their respective routes, transporting 40 to 50 shipments, weighing up to a hundred kilograms worth of parcels.
Apart from the busy city roads, Hong Kong’s terrain also consists of many outlying islands. To make these deliveries, the walkers are dropped off at the ferry pier in a DHL van, where they then take ferry rides to the various neighboring islands such as Lamma Island, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau.
Despite the extensive plans made to perfect the routes for each walker, exceptions are inevitable. More often than not, there are emergency roadblocks or changes in the weather that deter walkers on their journey.
“It is important for our walkers to stay alert so that they can adapt the plans or routes accordingly when there are any exceptions,” said Chui. “Our lead couriers also play a very important role in guiding them, and keeping them updated, should there be any detected changes in the weather or road conditions.”
Stepping up on the extra mile
Meanwhile, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have also brought forth new challenges for courier delivery and pick up to and from residential areas.
“We’ve had to cope with a surge in the number of small parcel deliveries during the pandemic, and because of safety procedures such as temperature checks and registrations, so more time is needed for delivery,” noted Chui.
The walkers have had to remain vigilant and keep themselves updated on the changing regulations and sudden closures of residential buildings due to emergency Covid-19 testing.
“Delivering a parcel from point A to B sounds like a simple task, but it’s quite a complex job, especially during the pandemic. It is imperative that our walkers are able to think quickly on their feet,” added Chui.
Walkers have been in high demand as record online sales during the peak season have led to a huge amount of deliveries over the past few months.
Chui, however, remains confident that DHL Express Hong Kong will be able to cope with the surging demand.
“With the Inbound Route Search system, barriers in training for sorters have been reduced to a minimum, allowing us to train new hires more quickly to cope with the influx of parcels during peak seasons,” said Chui. “As we continue to expand our network of couriers, we hope to improve the efficiency of our operations so that we can better serve the needs of our customers in Hong Kong.”] => 香港的人口密度、先進科技全球首屈一指，還擁有四通八達的交通系統：全球數一數二繁忙的機場和貨櫃港、世界最長的橋隧組合跨海通道，以及世界級的互聯網速度。
然而，在在交通繁忙的市區穿梭派送貨件方面仍面對挑戰。由於空間有限，難以拓寬路面，加上路面的車輛數目有增無減，導致香港長期出現嚴重的交通擠塞問題，而一直以來的解決方法是建立完善的公共交通系統，包括歷史悠久的電車、戶外扶手電梯、巴士、行人專用空間及地鐵。
[caption id="attachment_27793" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] {%CAPTION%}[/caption]
因此，DHL Express香港發現最行之有效的方法是以步行方式為客戶收派貨件。DHL的速遞員配備特製的速遞袋、手推車和手提式掃描器，憑著先進科技及資深同事傳授的寶貴知識，他們可以輕鬆穿梭這個城市森林。
與此同時，由於疫情所限，速遞員在住宅地區送件及收件的過程也多了新挑戰。
崔祖澤表示：「疫情期間，小型包裹的寄送急升，我們收派貨件時需要先量度體溫及登記才能進入大廈，而令送貨時間延長。」
速遞員需要持續關注疫情相關的政策更新，以及有哪些住宅大廈被突然圍封以進行強制檢測。
[caption id="attachment_27788" align="alignnone" width="1200"] 香港速遞員盡力完成每項派送任務。[/caption]
崔祖澤補充：「將貨件由A點送到B點其實是說來容易、做起來難，疫情期間尤甚。因此，速遞員的腦筋要『快人一步』。」
由於網絡銷售的紀錄創新高，在過去幾個月的派送高峰期，需求亦明顯大增。
儘管如此，崔祖澤仍對DHL Express香港能夠應付急升的派送需求充滿信心。
他說：「有賴自動路綫搜尋系統，我們為分類員提供培訓的限制大大減少，並更快為新員工提供指導，協助處理於旺季湧入的貨件。往後，我們將繼續拓展速遞員網絡，希望提升營運效率之餘，也能為香港的客戶提供更優質的服務。」
[wysiwyg] => wysiwyg
[In one of the most developed cities on the planet, delivering a package requires a surprising blend of high-tech and mundane solutions. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated and technologically advanced cities on the planet. It is also one of the most well-connected, considered as one of the busiest airports and container ports globally, and powered by internet speeds that are among the world’s fastest.
Getting through the city’s traffic to deliver a package, however, is still a herculean task. Hong Kong has long faced the problem of heavy congestion, exacerbated by limited space to expand roads and an increasing number of vehicles. Its solution has been to build a public transportation network that includes ancient trams, outdoor escalators, buses, pedestrian-only spaces, and subway trains.
Heavy traffic and a dense population pose a huge challenge for couriers to deliver in Hong Kong.
This interlinked network has led DHL Express Hong Kong to a logical conclusion, that the most effective and sustainable way to reach its customers is on foot. Armed with specially-designed courier bags, pushcarts, and handheld scanners, DHL’s “walker” couriers navigate the urban jungle, relying on a combination of technology and time-worn wisdom passed on by more experienced colleagues.
Finding a solution to Hong Kong’s unique address system
As with elsewhere, work has never been busier. Prior to the global pandemic, e-commerce was already booming, and the increasing reliance on online shopping sites has only accelerated its growth.
Since 2020, logistics companies have had to deal with a record-breaking number of package deliveries. Over 131 billion parcels were shipped in 2020, a 27 percent increase from 103 billion in 2019. With a rising number of small parcels requiring door-to-door deliveries in residential areas, there is also increased reliance on delivery companies to get their parcels to customers on time.
In search of more solutions for the last mile, DHL Express has adopted various initiatives such as self-collection services to minimize the number of door-to-door deliveries needed. On the technology front, the company has adopted sustainable methods such as electric vehicles, and drones to access remote areas.
For locations that are not easily accessible, DHL Express deploys walking couriers, or walkers.
But it is to the ‘walkers’ that much of the load is given. Typically, walker couriers in other countries are used to make deliveries to more secluded places. Hong Kong’s walkers, on the other hand, are trained to find their way around the city, winding in and out of narrow alleys and densely-populated crowds.
Navigating the urban areas on foot, however, comes with its challenges. Moving through the complicated routes around Hong Kong can be overwhelming, especially since the city uses a non-standard postal-code system.
“Deliveries are particularly challenging for our walkers because here in Hong Kong, we don’t have postal codes to pinpoint exact locations,” said Boris Chui, Vice President, Operations, DHL Express Hong Kong. “Initially, we relied on our more experienced sorters who knew all of the 380 routes and their respective boundaries by heart to manually sort the parcels according to different districts.”
However, by 2016, the rise of e-commerce had prompted an increase in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) shipments, and the workload soon became difficult for the sorters to manage.
To take the pressure off the sorters, DHL Express Hong Kong put together a project team to design a sorting optimization software called the Inbound Route Search system.
The team of nine representatives spent eight months creating a database of addresses in Hong Kong.
As there were no precedents in other territories, the team of nine representatives from IT and Operations had to acquire a full repository of Hong Kong addresses to build a database of routes, before applying a sophisticated mapping algorithm to derive the corresponding route codes.
The team spent eight months researching the project, conducting several live trials at various service centers to test out their new product – an efficient handheld scanner that provides a one-click solution that would allow sorters to identify and map out routes.
“The Inbound Route Search system has improved our operational efficiency. In December 2021, we further enhanced our mapping algorithm and raised the derived rate of successful deliveries to 65 to 90 percent,” said Chui. “Our more experienced sorters now analyze and update new buildings and addresses regularly, so the number of incorrect and unresolved addresses will be reduced and our database will become increasingly accurate with time.”
A day in the life of a walker
As far as possible, each walker courier’s route is planned ahead of time. The couriers start their day by gathering at DHL’s service center, where they are assigned their sorted routes.
Before they depart from the service center to make their daily deliveries, the walkers conduct small team meetings with their managers, team leaders, and other couriers to discuss the locations they will be delivering to.
“For Hong Kong’s walkers, safety is a concern, as they need to be wary of pedestrians and heavy traffic when crossing crowded roads,” explained Chui. “To avoid busier routes and minimize exceptions in deliveries, the walkers rely on their more experienced colleagues to share their knowledge of certain areas which are more difficult to navigate.” The walkers then craft their routes based on the team’s collective understanding of each district.
Following their discussions, the walkers are transported on a DHL van and dropped off at designated meeting points in the city. Each walker then sets out on their respective routes, transporting 40 to 50 shipments, weighing up to a hundred kilograms worth of parcels.
Walker couriers take ferry trips to deliver to remote islands in Hong Kong’s terrain.
Apart from the busy city roads, Hong Kong’s terrain also consists of many outlying islands. To make these deliveries, the walkers are dropped off at the ferry pier in a DHL van, where they then take ferry rides to the various neighboring islands such as Lamma Island, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau.
Despite the extensive plans made to perfect the routes for each walker, exceptions are inevitable. More often than not, there are emergency roadblocks or changes in the weather that deter walkers on their journey.
As there are no public transport systems on some islands, the walkers rent bicycles to navigate and deliver parcels to residences on these islands.
“It is important for our walkers to stay alert so that they can adapt the plans or routes accordingly when there are any exceptions,” said Chui. “Our lead couriers also play a very important role in guiding them, and keeping them updated, should there be any detected changes in the weather or road conditions.”
Stepping up on the extra mile
Meanwhile, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have also brought forth new challenges for courier delivery and pick up to and from residential areas.
“We’ve had to cope with a surge in the number of small parcel deliveries during the pandemic, and because of safety procedures such as temperature checks and registrations, so more time is needed for delivery,” noted Chui.
The walkers have had to remain vigilant and keep themselves updated on the changing regulations and sudden closures of residential buildings due to emergency Covid-19 testing.
Hong Kong’s couriers walk the extra mile to complete their deliveries.
“Delivering a parcel from point A to B sounds like a simple task, but it’s quite a complex job, especially during the pandemic. It is imperative that our walkers are able to think quickly on their feet,” added Chui.
Walkers have been in high demand as record online sales during the peak season have led to a huge amount of deliveries over the past few months.
Chui, however, remains confident that DHL Express Hong Kong will be able to cope with the surging demand.
“With the Inbound Route Search system, barriers in training for sorters have been reduced to a minimum, allowing us to train new hires more quickly to cope with the influx of parcels during peak seasons,” said Chui. “As we continue to expand our network of couriers, we hope to improve the efficiency of our operations so that we can better serve the needs of our customers in Hong Kong.”] =>
[] =>
[navigating-the-urban-jungle-hong-kongs-couriers-are-walking-the-last-mile] => navigating-the-urban-jungle-hong-kongs-couriers-are-walking-the-last-mile
[Hong Kong] =>
[Hong-Kong-traffic] => Hong-Kong-traffic
[Heavy traffic and a dense population pose a huge challenge for couriers to deliver in Hong Kong.] => Heavy traffic and a dense population pose a huge challenge for couriers to deliver in Hong Kong.
[Hong Kong traffic] => Hong Kong traffic
[Walkers-01] => Walkers-01
[DHL Express deploys walking couriers, or walkers, for locations that are not easily accessible.] => DHL Express deploys walking couriers, or walkers, for locations that are not easily accessible.
[Walkers 01] => Walkers 01
[Inbound Route Search System 1200x630] => Inbound Route Search System 1200x630
[Walker boarding ferry 1200x630] => Walker boarding ferry 1200x630
[Walker cycling from ferry 1200x630] => Walker cycling from ferry 1200x630
[Walkers-02] => Walkers-02
[Couriers literally walk the extra mile to complete their delivery in Hong Kong.] => Couriers literally walk the extra mile to complete their delivery in Hong Kong.
[Walkers 02] => Walkers 02
[Walker Header 300x248] => Walker Header 300x248
[Walker Header 1200x630] => Walker Header 1200x630
)
[$value] => Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated and technologically advanced cities on the planet. It is also one of the most well-connected, considered as one of the busiest airports and container ports globally, and powered by internet speeds that are among the world’s fastest.
Getting through the city’s traffic to deliver a package, however, is still a herculean task. Hong Kong has long faced the problem of heavy congestion, exacerbated by limited space to expand roads and an increasing number of vehicles. Its solution has been to build a public transportation network that includes ancient trams, outdoor escalators, buses, pedestrian-only spaces, and subway trains.
[caption id="attachment_27793" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Heavy traffic and a dense population pose a huge challenge for couriers to deliver in Hong Kong.[/caption]
This interlinked network has led DHL Express Hong Kong to a logical conclusion, that the most effective and sustainable way to reach its customers is on foot. Armed with specially-designed courier bags, pushcarts, and handheld scanners, DHL’s “walker” couriers navigate the urban jungle, relying on a combination of technology and time-worn wisdom passed on by more experienced colleagues.
Finding a solution to Hong Kong’s unique address system
As with elsewhere, work has never been busier. Prior to the global pandemic, e-commerce was already booming, and the increasing reliance on online shopping sites has only accelerated its growth.
Since 2020, logistics companies have had to deal with a record-breaking number of package deliveries. Over 131 billion parcels were shipped in 2020, a 27 percent increase from 103 billion in 2019. With a rising number of small parcels requiring door-to-door deliveries in residential areas, there is also increased reliance on delivery companies to get their parcels to customers on time.
In search of more solutions for the last mile, DHL Express has adopted various initiatives such as self-collection services to minimize the number of door-to-door deliveries needed. On the technology front, the company has adopted sustainable methods such as electric vehicles, and drones to access remote areas.
[caption id="attachment_27783" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] For locations that are not easily accessible, DHL Express deploys walking couriers, or walkers.[/caption]
But it is to the ‘walkers’ that much of the load is given. Typically, walker couriers in other countries are used to make deliveries to more secluded places. Hong Kong’s walkers, on the other hand, are trained to find their way around the city, winding in and out of narrow alleys and densely-populated crowds.
Navigating the urban areas on foot, however, comes with its challenges. Moving through the complicated routes around Hong Kong can be overwhelming, especially since the city uses a non-standard postal-code system.
“Deliveries are particularly challenging for our walkers because here in Hong Kong, we don’t have postal codes to pinpoint exact locations,” said Boris Chui, Vice President, Operations, DHL Express Hong Kong. “Initially, we relied on our more experienced sorters who knew all of the 380 routes and their respective boundaries by heart to manually sort the parcels according to different districts.”
However, by 2016, the rise of e-commerce had prompted an increase in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) shipments, and the workload soon became difficult for the sorters to manage.
To take the pressure off the sorters, DHL Express Hong Kong put together a project team to design a sorting optimization software called the Inbound Route Search system.
[caption id="attachment_27768" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The team of nine representatives spent eight months creating a database of addresses in Hong Kong.[/caption]
As there were no precedents in other territories, the team of nine representatives from IT and Operations had to acquire a full repository of Hong Kong addresses to build a database of routes, before applying a sophisticated mapping algorithm to derive the corresponding route codes.
The team spent eight months researching the project, conducting several live trials at various service centers to test out their new product - an efficient handheld scanner that provides a one-click solution that would allow sorters to identify and map out routes.
“The Inbound Route Search system has improved our operational efficiency. In December 2021, we further enhanced our mapping algorithm and raised the derived rate of successful deliveries to 65 to 90 percent,” said Chui. “Our more experienced sorters now analyze and update new buildings and addresses regularly, so the number of incorrect and unresolved addresses will be reduced and our database will become increasingly accurate with time.”
A day in the life of a walker
As far as possible, each walker courier’s route is planned ahead of time. The couriers start their day by gathering at DHL’s service center, where they are assigned their sorted routes.
Before they depart from the service center to make their daily deliveries, the walkers conduct small team meetings with their managers, team leaders, and other couriers to discuss the locations they will be delivering to.
“For Hong Kong’s walkers, safety is a concern, as they need to be wary of pedestrians and heavy traffic when crossing crowded roads,” explained Chui. “To avoid busier routes and minimize exceptions in deliveries, the walkers rely on their more experienced colleagues to share their knowledge of certain areas which are more difficult to navigate.” The walkers then craft their routes based on the team’s collective understanding of each district.
Following their discussions, the walkers are transported on a DHL van and dropped off at designated meeting points in the city. Each walker then sets out on their respective routes, transporting 40 to 50 shipments, weighing up to a hundred kilograms worth of parcels.
[caption id="attachment_27758" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Walker couriers take ferry trips to deliver to remote islands in Hong Kong's terrain.[/caption]
Apart from the busy city roads, Hong Kong’s terrain also consists of many outlying islands. To make these deliveries, the walkers are dropped off at the ferry pier in a DHL van, where they then take ferry rides to the various neighboring islands such as Lamma Island, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau.
Despite the extensive plans made to perfect the routes for each walker, exceptions are inevitable. More often than not, there are emergency roadblocks or changes in the weather that deter walkers on their journey.
[caption id="attachment_27753" align="alignnone" width="1200"] As there are no public transport systems on some islands, the walkers rent bicycles to navigate and deliver parcels to residences on these islands.[/caption]
“It is important for our walkers to stay alert so that they can adapt the plans or routes accordingly when there are any exceptions,” said Chui. “Our lead couriers also play a very important role in guiding them, and keeping them updated, should there be any detected changes in the weather or road conditions.”
Stepping up on the extra mile
Meanwhile, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have also brought forth new challenges for courier delivery and pick up to and from residential areas.
“We’ve had to cope with a surge in the number of small parcel deliveries during the pandemic, and because of safety procedures such as temperature checks and registrations, so more time is needed for delivery,” noted Chui.
The walkers have had to remain vigilant and keep themselves updated on the changing regulations and sudden closures of residential buildings due to emergency Covid-19 testing.
[caption id="attachment_27788" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Hong Kong's couriers walk the extra mile to complete their deliveries.[/caption]
“Delivering a parcel from point A to B sounds like a simple task, but it’s quite a complex job, especially during the pandemic. It is imperative that our walkers are able to think quickly on their feet,” added Chui.
Walkers have been in high demand as record online sales during the peak season have led to a huge amount of deliveries over the past few months.
Chui, however, remains confident that DHL Express Hong Kong will be able to cope with the surging demand.
“With the Inbound Route Search system, barriers in training for sorters have been reduced to a minimum, allowing us to train new hires more quickly to cope with the influx of parcels during peak seasons,” said Chui. “As we continue to expand our network of couriers, we hope to improve the efficiency of our operations so that we can better serve the needs of our customers in Hong Kong.”
)
繁體中文（香港）