Real-Time Tracking Report 2024

The State of Last Mile Tracking in the USA

Real-Time Tracking (RTT) has become a key driver of last mile delivery orchestration and User Experience. 

The U.S. significantly lags behind in providing a modern, convenient last-mile package delivery experience compared to both international counterparts and other service sectors such as rideshare and on-demand food delivery.

The Real-Time Tracking Report USA 2024 highlights opportunities for carriers to meet rising delivery demands, helping the U.S. parcel industry catch up to global standards and enhance the experience for both consumers and businesses.


Get the Real-Time Tracking Report USA

Discover what expectations USA recipients have of real-time tracking, how they use the services and how the actual experience is shaped by tracking in other industries.

The final mile delivery process is becoming increasingly complex and expensive, and all parts of the value chain are feeling the pressure. Real-Time Tracking (RTT) has become a major turntable of last mile delivery orchestration and user experience. 

Bettermile's Last Mile Delivery Experience Study 2024 aims to paint a coherent picture of the status quo of RTT services and customer expectations around it in the US landscape.

What is considered real-time tracking?

Real-time tracking typically falls into three categories:

Conventional Tracking: Logs scan events as the parcel moves from the carrier to the consignee, updating at key points along the delivery route.

Day-of-Delivery Notifications: Sends updates on the delivery day via SMS or email, often including an estimated delivery window.

Advanced Real-Time Tracking: Provides continuous updates on the delivery day, showing the parcel’s live location on a map, and might include the number of stops before delivery, and revised time estimates.

Methodology & Background

Population

50 participating US states (urban, suburban and rural areas).

Surveyees

1300 people interviewed who received at least one parcel within the last 90 days.

Procedure

3 ways of data sourcing: survey, marketing benchmark and comparison of major US carriers

Population

50 participating US states (urban, suburban and rural areas).

Screenshot of rtt us study

Key Findings

The findings suggest that just by implementing technologies such as predictive analytics, route optimization, and real-time communication that are readily available today and integrated into solutions, can transform last mile delivery and the whole customer journey.

The information about a package is as important as the delivery of the package itself.

Fred Smith, FedEx Founder and Chairman

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