In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States Postal Service employs an unusual mode of transportation to keep its massive mail operation running smoothly. Mechanics at the one-million-square-foot Processing and Distribution Center in Southwest Philly utilize tricycles to quickly respond to equipment breakdowns within the facility. This allows for rapid coverage of the expansive floor space.
The center itself is a massive operation, processing a staggering 250,000 to 300,000 packages and 800,000 to 1.2 million letters and cards daily. A workforce of 2,000 postal employees keeps this vital hub functioning, handling mail for a large portion of the Pennsylvania area. When machinery malfunctions, these dedicated mechanics spring into action on their distinctive tricycles, ensuring minimal disruption to the high-volume mail processing.