For many years, UPS drivers followed the same routes every day. These routes rarely changed, regardless of where the parcels actually needed to go or what the road conditions were. It was predictable, but far from optimal.
That changed in 2012 with the launch of Project ORION. This initiative, which stands for On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation, marked a major shift in how UPS approached logistics. ORION was more than a navigation tool. It used real-time data to calculate the most efficient delivery routes, taking into account traffic, weather, road closures, and delivery priorities.
One of its most impactful features was the way it limited right-hand turns in the US, which are often more dangerous and time-consuming due to the need to cross oncoming traffic. In Europe, this would correspond to reducing left-hand turns. By adjusting routes to avoid these risk points, UPS significantly reduced accident exposure and fuel usage.
Project ORION also introduced dynamic routing that allowed drivers to meet during their rounds and exchange parcels mid-route. This meant fewer miles driven, fewer vehicles on the road at once, and a more agile delivery network overall.
The system was the result of a large investment, both financially and in human resources. Over 700 people contributed to its development, and the cost of implementation reached around 250 million dollars. However, the annual savings in fuel alone matched that figure, making the return on investment both fast and continuous.
At Safely, we take inspiration from ORION’s logic. Just as UPS moved from fixed routes to live, data-informed decisions, Safely helps organisations shift from static safety rules to context-aware prevention. Our goal is not only to stop accidents before they happen, but also to improve how resources are used, reduce unnecessary travel, and minimise the environmental footprint of day-to-day operations.
Where ORION used live routing to reduce crashes and emissions, Safely uses real-time awareness to prevent incidents and optimise field activity. It’s the same principle applied to safety: understand what’s happening as it unfolds, act before problems escalate, and keep people and systems moving safely and efficiently.
UPS demonstrated that logistics could be reinvented with the right mix of technology and insight. Safely brings that same vision to safety management. Because in both cases, the smartest system is the one that protects — not only people, but time, energy, and the environment.
