Federal Manager's Daily Report

A move toward drone-based delivery of parcels would make the Postal Service “look more innovative” but significant use of such technology is still years off, says a report by the postal IG.

Advancements in drone technology have raised the prospect that private companies might directly deliver packages in that manner, bypassing ground-based carriers including the USPS. That has led to suggestions that USPS get out front on such technology.

“If the U.S. Postal Service intends to consider the option of incorporating drones into its operations, tracking the public’s rapidly evolving perception of this new mode of delivery will be essential to shaping the groundwork of the Postal Service’s strategy. Though it will still take a few years for the technology to mature and the regulatory framework to emerge, proactively examining the concept could allow the Postal Service to better assess its operational feasibility, fundamental economics, regulatory compliance, and social implications,” a report said.

The report said an online survey conducted by the IG revealed that the public expects that drone delivery will be widely available within the next five to 10 years, but that there are still substantial concerns about it, most prominently the possibility of drones malfunctions or intentional misuse, as well as the potential for items left outside at a residence being stolen.

The most positive aspect was seen as the prospect for speedier delivery, in particular the potential for emergency deliveries of such items as medicine. The potential for delivery to hard-to-reach locations and to a recipient at a location other than home also were seen as positives.