System and method for controlling the transport of articles

A system for controlling the transport of articles, said control system comprising:

• one or more communication devices for receiving and transmitting data, said communication devices in the possession of one or more couriers;
• at least one primary server for allocating couriers for the collection and delivery of a plurality of articles, said primary server in communication with said communication devices, said primary server having a program for controlling said server;
• one or more secondary servers in communication with said primary server and said communication devices;
• and
• at least one remote interface for placing orders for the collection and delivery of a plurality of articles;
• wherein said program, upon the execution of an order, compares stored historical travel times from one geographic location to another with actual travel times from one geographic location to another to thereby provide updated estimates for the collection time and delivery time of articles provided in subsequent orders.