Suzhou Traffic Police Include Red-Light Wait Time in Delivery Timer, Automatically Exclude Invalid Timing

Suzhou traffic authorities recently introduced a new measure that includes the time delivery riders spent waiting at traffic lights in the overall delivery timing system. By automatically excluding invalid waiting time and extending the delivery deadline, the policy seeks to relieve time pressure on food delivery riders. The measure is intended to improve the working environment for gig-economy workers, and the relevant adjustment has already been implemented.

Gig-economy workers primarily rely on platform assignments for jobs and are characterized by high mobility, dispersed work locations, and flexible employment arrangements. At present, this group still faces specific challenges in rights protection, career development, and social integration, including traffic safety risks arising from algorithm-driven schedule pressure, lack of protection in extreme weather, and difficulties in resolving disputes. The latest adjustment by the Suzhou traffic authorities represents a concrete operational improvement addressing these issues.