Evaluation of satchels for postal letter carriers

A research project funded by the United States Postal Service surveyed lett er carriers to evaluate three alternative satchel designs and the current s atchel. The evaluation consisted of both held surveys and a laboratory stud y. Each satchel had positive and negative attributes. A two-pouch system (s atchel C) that distributed weight on both sides of the body, proved to be t he best alternative in the laboratory study. However, concerns regarding th e use of satchel C for defense against a dog attack made its desirability q uestionable in the survey. The study showed that none of the four satchels was a universally accepted alternative. Recommendations are offered to impr ove the satchel design.