With a market size of nearly $2 billion, state and local governments need to be sure they are handling their street cleaning service providers with enhanced oversight to best serve their citizens.
Local governments typically manage street cleaning through a combination of manual labor and technology. This can include using street sweepers to physically clean the streets and implementing GPS tracking systems to monitor and optimize cleaning routes. Some cities may also rely on citizen reporting or feedback to identify areas that require additional attention. Sometimes, local governments may outsource street cleaning to third-party service providers.
Street cleaning helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment by removing litter, debris, and other pollutants from public spaces. This can help to prevent the spread of disease, reduce the risk of flooding caused by clogged storm drains, and improve air quality by reducing the amount of dust and particulate matter in the air.
Additionally, regular street cleaning can help to make cities more attractive and inviting places to live, work, and visit, which can have positive economic benefits such as increased property values and tourism revenue. Street cleaning also plays an important role in maintaining public safety by ensuring that streets are free from hazards such as broken glass or sharp objects that could cause injury or damage to vehicles.
The responsibility for managing street cleaning varies depending on the location. In some cases, it may be the responsibility of a local government agency such as a department of public works or transportation. In other cases, it may be outsourced to private companies specializing in street cleaning services.
The extent to which street cleaning is outsourced to private companies can vary depending on the city or municipality. Some local governments may contract out all street cleaning services to private companies, while others may handle most of these tasks in-house. Generally speaking, outsourcing can be a cost-effective option for cities looking to reduce expenses and improve efficiency, but it may also come with certain trade-offs, such as reduced control over the quality of services provided.
GPS tracking technology should be a part of any managed street cleaning solution, so if a local government does decide to outsource for cost efficiency, it should ensure its service provider has a GPS-powered fleet management system for impeccable oversight and transparency.
Local governments can show transparency with street cleaning by providing regular updates and information to the public. This can include sharing data on cleaning schedules, routes, and outcomes and soliciting feedback from citizens about areas that may require additional attention.
Additionally, some townships may use technology such as mobile apps or online maps to provide real-time updates on cleaning activities and progress. Local governments can build trust with their constituents and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining safe and healthy communities by being transparent about their efforts to keep streets clean.
GPS technology provides street cleaning fleet managers with valuable information that can be passed on to government officials and their citizens. Understanding when and where roads may be blocked or closed for street cleaning is important information for anyone who needs to use them.
With an adequate GPS-powered fleet tracking system, whether your fleet operates in-house or through a service provider, you’ll have improved route efficiency and significantly faster operations. And remember, for citizens, time is money! And having roads blocked or planning to move parked vehicles can affect people’s everyday lives. The faster you can safely get streets clean, the better.
GPS tracking allows city officials to monitor the progress of street cleaning crews and ensure they meet their targets. This can help improve efficiency and reduce costs by identifying areas where crews may need additional support or training. Real-time visibility can help improve public safety by identifying areas where debris or other hazards may be present on the roadways. This information can then be used to alert drivers and pedestrians to potential dangers and take appropriate action to mitigate risks.
Real-time visibility can help improve accountability by clearly recording when and where street cleaning activities occur. This can be useful for audits, compliance monitoring, and other purposes related to regulatory compliance. The more data municipalities have regarding their street cleaning efforts, the more accountability they have for managers and supervisors involved in the activities.
With the right fleet management software, reports can also be automatically generated on demand should any citizen make a reasonable request or require an explanation regarding street cleaning. This report should document the date and time of the cleaning activity, as well as the location where it took place. This can help identify patterns or trends in street cleaning activity and ensure that crews cover all necessary areas.
It should include details about the cleaning activity performed, such as sweeping or power washing. This can help city officials identify the most effective methods in different areas and adjust their strategies accordingly. Any issues or challenges that were encountered during the cleaning process, such as equipment malfunctions or difficult-to-clean areas, should also be documented.
Finally, street cleaning reporting should include relevant data on the amount and type of debris removed during the cleaning process. This information can be used to track progress over time and identify areas where additional attention may be needed to keep streets clean and safe for residents and visitors alike.
With all the data collected through a well-managed street cleaning program that uses GPS technology and sophisticated fleet management software, local government and municipality officials can justify costs and enhance their relationships with their local citizens.