Spring is a time for renewal, and for many local governments, that means ramping up their street cleaning efforts to keep their cities looking fresh and beautiful.
Street cleaning may not be the sexiest subject, but when not done properly, local governments can run into difficult situations – remember pizza rat??
So, how do governments handle keeping their streets clean without burdening citizens with closed streets and changing parking zones? Let’s look at how GPS technology can help local governments work with their communities to keep the streets clean conveniently.
What is the Street Cleaning Schedule?
Alright, imagine that the streets of your city are like the dance floor of a wild party, and the street cleaning schedule is like the cleanup crew coming in to make sure the party keeps going strong.
Just like how you need to keep a good rhythm going on the dance floor, the street cleaning crew needs to keep a good rhythm going with their schedule, making sure to hit all the hotspots at just the right times.
And just like how you don't want any spills or messes ruining your good time, the street cleaning crew doesn't want any trash or debris mucking up the streets. So they sweep, they scrub, and they shine until the streets are ready for the next party.
Challenges to Scheduling Street Cleaning
There are several challenges to street cleaning scheduling that local governments must contend with. Managing a fleet of street cleaning vehicles of various sizes and types is definitely complicated and keeping track of so many moving parts is pretty much a full time job that most municipalities don’t have the full bandwidth to fill!
First, there is that pesky thing we can never truly predict, which is the weather. Inclement weather can disrupt street cleaning schedules, as heavy rain or snow can make it difficult or impossible to clean the streets effectively. Although meteorologists have access to increasingly better technology, it seems like there is still no sure way to predict the weather. It’s tough to stay on top of it and make sure your vehicles are properly equipped.
Then there’s traffic. Street cleaning crews must navigate around heavy traffic to avoid causing congestion and delays which can impact their ability to adhere to their schedules. That ties right into another challenge which includes planning and executing during holidays or events. Crews may need to adjust their cleaning routes or times to accommodate increased foot and vehicle traffic.
Finally, it all comes down to resources. Budgeting street cleaning can be challenging because it requires allocating resources and balancing competing priorities. Fleet managers have to compete with other local interests to prove their budgets are accurate and efficient, which takes data. Hiring and retaining enough qualified staff to perform street cleaning duties can be challenging, especially during peak seasons when demand for services is high.
Related Content: Top 3 Reasons to Use StreetComplete for GPS Tracking
Making street cleaning Schedules Accessible
There are some great technological advances that can help local governments run their street cleaning operations efficiently and communicate that to the community at large making your street cleaning crew the hero of this story! Through GPS fleet tracking you can build dashboards so the community can see exactly where and when street cleaning is going on.
Digitization
Digitization of fleet management data helps local governments to justify their allocation of resources to street cleaning. You can show using historical data points just how your street cleaning team helped keep the town clean, how much it cost historically, and determine where efficiencies can be improved.
Availability on local government websites
By making street cleaning schedules publicly available, local governments are promoting transparency and accountability, which can help build trust with their constituents. Plus, residents and businesses can use their schedules to plan their activities and avoid parking or driving on streets during scheduled cleaning times, reducing the chances of getting ticketed or towed.
Mobile applications
Many mobile apps can send alerts and reminders to users about upcoming street cleaning schedules in their area, helping them remember to move their cars. Some apps can provide real-time updates on the status of street cleaning operations, such as which streets have been cleaned and which are still in progress, allowing users to plan their activities accordingly. Mobile apps can also allow users to report issues or problems with street cleaning, such as missed spots or overflowing trash bins, helping local governments identify and address problem areas more quickly.
Overall, street cleaning schedules on local government websites provide a valuable service to the community by promoting transparency, improving communication, and helping residents and businesses plan their activities more efficiently.
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