Why Does The New Mail Truck Look Like That?

For over a decade, the government and postal service workers have discussed the need for a new mail truck design. The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) Prototype Design Statement of Objectives was first published in 2015 and laid out the features that needed improvement most. And now, over ten years later, the new design is starting to make its way onto the road.

The rollout has been slow, but certain neighborhoods are finally starting to see the new design. Across the board, people who’ve seen the new trucks have been surprised at just how different these NGDVs look compared to the old mail truck design.

What Is the Proposed New Mail Truck Design?

The older mail trucks were boxy, rarely had air conditioning, and overall, were not optimally designed to keep their drivers or other people on the road safe. The NGDVs, on the other hand, were designed with safety in mind. They have a low hood, large windshield and a heater and air conditioning unit that can combat extreme temperatures. And these NGDVs are electric vehicles, unlike the gas-powered mail trucks of the past.

Why Are These Features Important?

The most striking features of the NGDV are its large windshield and low hood. According to the Seattle Times, these were “designed to allow drivers of almost any height to see the road.” The NGDV Prototype Design Statement of Objectives corroborates this. Section 4.7 states that the “vehicle design should maximize visibility, control, reach, and accessibility to operators ranging from the 5th percentile adult female through the 95th percentile adult male of the general U.S. population.”

This emphasis on visibility means that, unlike other cars on the road that have higher hoods, mail carriers in the new truck will be able to see shorter road hazards. Since they’re spending a lot of time driving around neighborhoods, it’s important that these drivers can see children, pets, or wildlife that may step out into the road unexpectedly.

The climate control is a long-awaited upgrade. Mail carriers have talked for years about how dangerously hot the old trucks can get in the summer. And this concern is only getting worse, especially as climate change pushes summer temperatures higher and higher each year. Heat stroke is not an uncommon fear in the summer, and it can lead to death.

It may be awhile still before the NGDVs make their way to every neighborhood in the country, but keep an eye out. When one makes its way to your neighborhood, you won’t be able to miss it. Even if you don’t immediately like the design, give it some time. You’ll probably find that the new safety features more than make up for the unusual look.

Sources

Yes, It ‘Looks Like a Duck,’ but Carriers Like the New Mail Truck, Seattle Times, 2024.

Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) Prototype Design Statement of Objectives, United States Post Office, 2015.

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