eLOT: Enhanced Line of Travel Sequencing

## What Is eLOT?

eLOT — Enhanced Line of Travel — is a USPS product that assigns a sequence number to every deliverable address based on the letter carrier's actual walking or driving route.

This sequencing allows mailers to sort mail in delivery order, eliminating the need for carriers to manually sequence mail at the post office.

## How eLOT Works

| Component | Description |
|-----------|------------|
| eLOT Number | 4-digit sequence (ascending along route) |
| eLOT Indicator | A (ascending) or D (descending) on the block |
| Carrier Route | The route code this eLOT belongs to |

For example, on carrier route C015:

- 100 Main St → eLOT 0010A
- 102 Main St → eLOT 0010A
- 104 Main St → eLOT 0010A
- 201 Oak Ave → eLOT 0020A
- 199 Oak Ave → eLOT 0020D (descending side)

## Postal Discounts

eLOT sequencing qualifies mail for the deepest carrier route presort discounts:

| Sort Level | Discount |
|-----------|----------|
| 5-digit | Base |
| Carrier route | +$0.01-0.02/piece |
| Walk sequence (eLOT) | +$0.005-0.01/piece |

For a mailer sending 1 million pieces monthly, walk-sequence sorting saves $5,000-10,000 per month.

## eLOT vs. Walk Sequence

eLOT provides approximate walk sequence based on address data. True walk sequence requires the carrier's actual route plan (DPS — Delivery Point Sequencing), which is done by automated sorting machines at the post office.

eLOT is the mailer's best available approximation.

## Data Access

eLOT data is available through:

- **USPS Address Information System (AIS)** products
- **CASS-certified software** — Most include eLOT in their output
- **Updated monthly** alongside the ZIP+4 file

## Practical Use

Beyond postal discounts, eLOT sequencing is valuable for:

- **Door-to-door campaigns** — Canvassers follow eLOT order
- **Delivery route planning** — Non-USPS carriers use eLOT as a routing baseline
- **Census enumeration** — Census workers follow address sequences