Delivery company DoorDash is introducing new features for passengers, including reduced notifications, a request for customers not to text them while they’re traveling, and messages promoting one-click replies.
DoorDash is updating its iOS app (for iOS 15 or higher) to reduce notifications sent to delivery partners while they’re en route. They will only receive a few notifications such as a change of delivery address, messages from their customer or if an order has been reassigned after having expired during a trip. Other notifications will be disabled and delivery partners will only be able to see them when they indicate that they have reached their destination.
The company is rolling out the feature to all cyclists worldwide using iPhones and plans to roll it out to Android in the coming months.
DoorDash will also update customers with a prompt asking them not to text delivery people while they are driving. The company doesn’t really show customers if the delivery partner is currently driving. The prompt simply tells users to be mindful by saying “Please note that your Dasher may roll and be delayed in its response.”
Picture credits: DoorDash
The company will soon pilot a one-click messaging system for delivery people as well. Much like smart replies on Gmail or LinkedIn messages, passengers will receive simple prompts such as “I’m going to the store” or “I’m waiting for your order.” Notably, Uber rolled out a similar system for drivers in 2018.
Additionally, DoorDash introduces an easier way to decline a command that requires fewer taps. Delivery partners can also wait until the order acceptance time has elapsed to not take an order.
Picture credits: DoorDash
For new delivery partners joining the platform, the company has introduced a feature to perform a demo delivery to their location to understand the flow of the service. This process guides delivery people from accepting an order to making a delivery so they can get familiar with the app before starting real-world deliveries.
“By showing them exactly what to expect in the app, we’re setting the stage for an ever better – and more importantly – even safer first dash. Now Dashers will have the option to place a short demo order in their Dasher app as part of their registration process,” the company said in a blog post.
DoorDash said last year it partnered with telematics provider Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) to give drivers access to the DriveWell Go app. It provided participating drivers with information on areas such as as speed, distance traveled and braking while driving. The company said it is still evaluating driver data in the United States to provide feedback to drivers.
Picture credits: door dash
DoorDash rolled out another passenger safety update last November, which included features like delivery partner verification if delivery is taking longer than expected and an option to unassign if a customer has used a foul language in chat. It was an extension of the SafeDash toolkit for cyclists, which was launched in 2021.
The safety of delivery people is a growing concern across the world as more people rely on them to get food, grocery and e-commerce orders. In India, riders have complained about their safety and often crashed to cope with growing pressure from delivery orders to earn incentives. However, there has been virtually no legislative intervention for runners. On the other hand, Europe has pushed reforms that could give construction workers protection like insurance and security. The United States also has several proposals lined up to give gig workers more rights.
