Postboxes - An Inquiry Into a Public Service
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Urban Technology
University of Michigan
Winter 2024
Instructor: Wizinsky
UT230: Design & Urban Inquiries
Section 002
Assignment 1: Juxtapositions
Emma Vitet
Inquiry
Audit & Classify
The data collected in the sample area (Fig. 1) encompasses USPS post boxes, as well as any other ‘drop-off box’. For clarity they are categorized and color coded.
Within the categories, there are subgroups distinguished by specific attributes, for instance function, art, and signage. The specific taxonomy can be found under the sample pictures and in its section below.
Juxtapose
Upon comparing my initial findings with nationwide data on post box removals, significant patterns emerged. According to USPS criteria a post box can be removed if it averages 25 or less pieces of mail per day. Despite the USPS claiming to consider community input in these decisions, the uproar over mass post box removals during the last election underscored the politicization of public services like the USPS. The lack of input surrounding these removals further amplifies concerns, particularly when removal patterns around election time and in major cities suggest motives beyond declining mail volume.
When contrasting Ann Arbor to recent nationwide data on post box removals and decline, it is surprising to find such a high concentration of post boxes in this small sample area. The average distance between post boxes is less than 0.2 miles.
Fig.2 Routes to next closest post box and other drop-off boxes
As a federally-owned entity, the USPS has to prioritize its service obligations, and ensure public access to data on removals. This issue extends beyond mere technological progress; it reflects shifts in societal values, access to services, and to an extent the democracy itself, where mail historically played a crucial role in spreading information and challenging oppression.
Fig.3 Distance from one post box to another from, in miles
USPS post box
Post Office
USPS relay/storage box
Taxonom
Magazine distribution box UPS box Official ballot drop box Unknown Fig. 1 Post boxes in downtown Ann Arbor, January 2024
Group A = USPS post boxe I - Triangle signag II - Rectangle sign on the top and ar III - Rectangle signage on top but no ar Group B = USPS relay/storage boxe I - With ar II - Without ar Group C = magazine distribution boxe Group D = governmental drop-off boxe Group E = ‘other one unknown, one private (UPS)
Findings
Insight #1 (Relay/Storage boxes)
The green boxes are known as "relay" or "storage" boxes. They are not accessible to the public and are used by mail carriers to temporarily store mail, allowing them to distribute it efficiently without carrying everything at once.
A-I-II
A-II-II
A-III-III
B-II-I
C-II
D-I
Insight #2 (Downtown Ann Arbor box density)
The observation of a high density of post boxes in downtown Ann Arbor suggests an interesting phenomenon of post box clustering, which contrasts with the trend of post box removals in other areas.
Insight #3 (Equity Concerns in Urban Fixture Decline)
The decline of urban fixtures such as post boxes over the past decade due to technological advancements raises concerns about equity and accessibility within communities. While technological progress often leads to the removal of physical objects, it's important to consider the impact on communities, particularly in areas with sparse populations and limited civic services like Detroit.
A-I-III
A-II-III
A-III-IV
B-II-II
C-III
D-II
Insight #4 (Political Implications of Mail Service Access)
The politicization of USPS post box removals during the last election cycle highlights the significance of state-owned mail services in a democracy. The USPS serves as a lifeline for individuals in rural or remote areas, delivering essential items like medications, government benefits, and financial statements. The removal of post boxes without transparent data publication raises questions about democracy and access to postal services, emphasizing the need for publicly available information and equitable decision-making processes.
Future Inquiry
Hypotheses
More, and bigger, post boxes would decrease car usage as people could walk and deposit packages of different sizes.
Disinvestment in physical post boxes will lead to less civic engagement and more inequity.
Fig. 4 Amount of USPS post boxes across the US, in thousands, peak in 2000 with 365,000 boxes
Post box removal City with a population of 50,000 or more
Fig. 5 2019
Fig. 4 Post boxes removed in the Detroit Area, Blue 2020/Green 2021
Research Design
To study my research question and hypotheses further I would look more into the data that was collected for the bottom map and try to add to it, by collecting more data. This could be done through surveys and interviews with community members, postal service users, postal workers, and stakeholders to understand different perspectives on post box placement, efficiency, and accessibility.
Additionally, I would measure levels of community engagement with civic duties (such as voting) and how they are related to the mail - this would take the form of surveys, participation rates in public forums, and feedback mechanisms
Source DeSilver, D. (2020, May 14). The state of the U.S. Postal Service in 8 charts. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/05/14/the-state-ofthe-u-s-postal-service-in-8-charts/ Fig.4 Hutkins, S. (2022, October 12). Counting up collection box removals in 2020-2021: Lists & maps. Save the Post Office. https://www.savethepostoffice.com/ usps-collection-box-removals-in-2020-and-2021-lists-maps/ USPS. (2019). USPS delivers the facts. The United States Postal Office. https:// about.usps.com/news/delivers-facts/usps-delivers-the-facts.pd Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, November 27). Postal clause. Wikipedia. https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Postal_Clause#:~:text=Article%20I%2C%20Section%208%2C%20Clause,authority%20t o%20designate%20mail%20routes. Fig.5 Story, N. (n.d.). Nstory/collection_boxes: Documenting the current state of USPS Collection Boxes. GitHub. https://github.com/nstory/collection_boxes Placek, M. (2023, December 8). USPS - mail volume 2022. Statista. https:// www.statista.com/statistics/320234/mail-volume-of-the-usps/ #:~:text=United%20States%20Postal%20Service%20%2D%20mail%20volume%202004 %2D2022&text=After%20reaching%20a%20peak%20of,to%20just%20127.3%20billion% 20units A decade of facts and figures. Postal Facts - U.S. Postal Service. (2023, March 22). https://facts.usps.com/table-facts