Since the June 23rd, 2018 final report of the panel for the Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System (RRECS) the postal service has had teams developing the software and systems to support RRECS. As we move forward with implementing RRECS, the USPS will conduct an end to end test on 4,205 rural study routes to confirm functionality of the system.
A critical component of testing the functionality of internal systems necessary for the implementation of RRECS is Rural Street Database (RSD) mapping and certification. The postal service will begin recertification of the original study routes on February 8, 2019.
There will be two actions required that will be completed prior to the recertification process:
First, each area will be required to send their rural analyst or designee to an RSD refresher training in Memphis, TN on January 15-16, 2019. This will be a train the trainer session as was done in the initial roll-out. The areas will then be responsible for training the districts and in turn the districts will train the units on mapping and recertification of the study routes. April 1, 2019 is the expected competition date for study routes to be recertified in RSD.
Second, HQ Rural Delivery has identified critical steps that must be completed prior to the carrier going into RSD to recertify their route. Completing these items drastically reduces the time to map the route in RSD.
These critical actions that need to be completed no later than February 1, 2019 on the study routes within each area are:
- Complete/update edit books
- Confirm accuracy of PS 4003 line of travel (Carrier must follow established LOT)
- Complete/update dismount worksheets in RWHT (Address locations match AMS)
- Confirm all study routes have the “Rural Study Software” on their scanners
These tasks should be completed by February 6, 2019.
Attached you will find a mandatory stand-up talk that is intended for the 4,205 rural routes that are involved in the RRECS study. As part of the RRECS study, specific software was downloaded to the carrier MDDs giving access to additional required daily scans. These scans were included as part of the previous National mail count and is imperative that these scans be completed daily as they occur.
The attached stand-up talk details the required scans as part of the RRECS study as well as maintaining edit books and 4003’s.
Keep in mind this is a test for the functionality of the system. The NRLCA will be involved in final mapping and decision on the RRECS.
We will know more next week about our involvement in this test and will keep you updated.
Your National Board
Click here to view the USPS Rural Study Route Service Talk