Seattle's Electric Street Sweeper Pilot Program Seeking EV and Bike Lane Effectiveness Answers
In September of 2023 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) debuted a program to test out a compact electric bike-lane sweeper vehicle barely 5 feet wide and designed to weave between bollards and curbs to remove the leaves and rocks that can impede cyclists. This pilot is part of a program aimed at ensuring a safe and reliable zero emission alternative travel options year-round. Camera-based technology – the term 'dash cams' is used in this article as a generalized term – can improve safety for power sweepers in several key ways. In fact, they are one of the best values that can be added to sweepers, since they offer proof of what has occurred; illustrate accountability; can assist with driver training; verify service completion; and, can even be used to identify infrastructure issues. Every week fatal and/or near-fatal accidents involving sweepers are reported. Attenuator trucks, also known as 'safety cushion trucks,' have saved the lives of many sweeper operators. A constant but usually unnoticed fixture on freeways, the drivers of the shadow trucks serve as blockers for the street sweepers, the police cruiser often with them, and the trash-removing crews that sometimes walk ahead at the front. Without the street sweeping convoys, freeways everywhere would be a minefield of debris. And without the shadow vehicles, even the imposing sweepers themselves would be targets for inattentive or intoxicated drivers. Read the story.
Isuzu Responds to Reported Fuel System Issues
In 2014 the World Sweeper office received a number of reports from parking lot sweeping contractors concerning trouble they were having with the fuel systems on their Isuzu chassis. These seemed to center on the 2006 and 2007 model years. We offer an article and 26-minute audio interview with a top Isuzu fleet manager to discuss the realities of the situation. This article includes many tips for maximizing the chassis fuel system, as well as some additional information about ways to maximize transmission longevity. Read/Listen to the story.
Improving Tier 4 Diesel DPF System Performance
Today's diesel fuel industry is far different from what it was just a decade ago. Changes in diesel engine designs, driven by increased EPA regulations, have caused critical issues for OEMs as well as for those who operate diesel engines in their fleets. In this article, we will discuss several leading issues regarding today's diesel-fueled engines, as well as steps that sweeper owners and operators might want to consider for preventing premature diesel engine failure. Includes audio podcast with the Vice President of Texas Refinery Corporation. Read/Listen to the story.
Isuzu Responds to Reported Fuel System Issues
In 2014 the World Sweeper office received a number of reports from parking lot sweeping contractors concerning trouble they were having with the fuel systems on their Isuzu chassis. These seemed to center on the 2006 and 2007 model years. We offer an article and 26-minute audio interview with a top Isuzu fleet manager to discuss the realities of the situation. This article includes many tips for maximizing the chassis fuel system, as well as some additional information about ways to maximize transmission longevity. Read/Listen to the story.
Mandated 2010 Emission Standards and Emerging Technologies for Sweeper Truck Chassis
Starting in 2010, virtually all trucks sold in the U.S. had to meet new, much more stringent emissions' standards. The following is a layperson's explanation of the two technologies that currently are being used to meet the new standards. Read/Listen to the story.
A Primer on the Move to Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Interview with Bill Haaker, CEO of California-based, Haaker Equipment Company, Inc. Haaker is an expert on the transformation of heavy equipment chassis vehicles, such as those used on street sweepers and catchbasin cleaners, to use alternative fuels such as CNG and LPG. Read/Listen to the story.
Internet Auctions: Less Hassle and Time Wasted, More Revenue
The Municibid.com website specializes in working with municipal entities. In fact, only municipalities may sell equipment on the site. And, instead of doing what so many other auction companies do, which is to charge a percentage of each sale, the Municibid.com concept is to offer its services to municipalities for a modest fee per year. Read/Listen to the story.
Creating Customer Service Agreements for In-House Fleet Management
Steve Kibler, a 20-year veteran of municipal fleet management and head of that department for Loveland, Colorado, offered his rules of thumb for managing municipal fleets at APWA 2008. In this audio interview with Kibler, he transmits the many ideas he has developed for making his fleet management department accountable and productive. Read/Listen to the story.
Tips for Improving Fuel Economy
Fuel prices have never risen so quickly. Here are a variety of tips for conserving fuel usage, which will help you keep a line on costs and, if you're a contractor, stay competitive with your bidding. Read all about it.
Biodiesel's Impact on Public Fleet Operability and Economics
Biodiesel has many advantages and will soon be available nationwide. Make sure you make the right decisions about implementing biodiesel as a fleet fuel. Includes audio interview in .mp3 format. Read/Listen to the story.
Modernizing Fleet Operations
Here are some of the factors that will help you create a state-of-the art public fleet operation and establish a business enterprise that uses best management practices to compete successfully with private sector entities. Includes 19 minute .mp3 audio interview with 25+ year fleet manager. Read/Listen to the story.
Determining Whether to Work on Vehicles In-House or to Sub Out the Work
This thought-provoking analysis of the cost and productivity of mechanics, as well as size of shops needed for in-house repair work, is provided by John Dolce, noted fleet management professional. Includes a handout list of 11 items for a shop manager to consider each day in order to maximize shop productivity and minimize disruption for vehicle users. Read the story.
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Meet CityRover, the Sweeper-Mounted AI System Helping Oregon City Battle Potholes
Oregon City has enlisted the help of a device named CityRover as a high-tech ally to help in the ongoing battle with potholes. And it’s the only community in the state currently taking advantage of artificial intelligence technology.
Read the article.
Catalytic Converter Thefts An Increasing Problem
The theft of catalytic converters from a wide-ranging number of vehicle makes and models – including Isuzu and other sweeper chassis – has reached crisis proportions. In addition to interviewing a contractor who's been hit three different times – and has developed a unique solution – three different anti-theft deterrent devices are reviewed as well as includes a variety of catalytic converter anti-theft advice.
Read the article.
Fleet Management Tips From a Pro Sweeping Tech
This article features Ali Mulaj, who is a nationally-recognized sweeper repair technician who worked for C&J Sweeping for his entire career until the company was purchased by SCA in 2021. When you read Ali's bio you'll understand why he's held in such high regard by contractors around the US. In the Zoomcast article Ali provides a host of BMP tips about sweeper preventive maintenance and repair.
Read about it.
Improving Sweeper Safety to Bystanders
On average, one in 10 workers on construction sites is injured. With an industry workforce estimated at about 9.6 million workers, that means almost a million workers in the United States receive some type of injury each year. Because sweepers are a type of machine not universally found on construction sites, they pose a larger danger than other, more familiar, types of machinery such as dump trucks, loaders, backhoes, etc. Article contains ideas on how to equip your sweepers so as to reduce the likelihood of accidents on jobsites. Article is in WorldSweeper's 'Safety Section.'
Read about it.
Five Tips for Winterizing Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
When preparing your fleet for winter, one of the most commonly overlooked items is the fuel itself. Fuel needs to be winterized, especially for trucks that are used throughout the winter.
Read the best practice reminders.
Contractors Report Isuzu DPF System Troubles
In 2014 the World Sweeper office received a number of reports from parking lot sweeping contractors concerning trouble they were having with the DPF systems on their Isuzu chassis. As a result, we distributed a query to members of the World Sweeping Association. This informal survey resulted in more contractors coming forward with their experiences on the topic.
We also offer a follow-up story in this series, which is an article based upon a conversation with Mike Rossetti, Isuzu Commercial Truck's Director of Field Operations for the company.
Read/Listen to the story.
Engine Upkeep: Tips to Keep Power Sweeper Engines Operating Efficiently
Brad Murphy, COO and Executive Vice-President, Subaru Industrial Power Products, wrote this article for the WorldSweeper reading audience. It provides a number of basic engine maintenance tips and a few troubleshooting tricks that will help in creating a sufficient preventative maintenance program.Check out the details.
Switching Your Vehicle Fleet to Biodiesel
Considering a switch to biodiesel? Hear about the experience of two Pacific NW agencies when they implemented biodiesel as a fleet fuel. Includes .mp3 audio interview. Read/Listen to the story.
Fleet Washing and Stormwater Regulations
In today's environmental climate, washing your sweepers and other vehicles without the proper procedures can result in more than just a large fine. Includes 20-minute .mp3 audio interview with one of the wastewater disposal industry's leaders. Read and Listen to the story.
The 50/50 Rule: A Discussion of Relative Maintenance Costs
John Dolce discusses the way even single sweeper owners can benefit by the statistics available to larger fleets. If you don't know Dolce's '50/50 Rule, you may not be trading out your vehicles at the right time in their service life. Read the story.
Preventive Maintenance Software X 2
Discussion of features of MaintStar and Vehicle Tracker brands of fleet maintenance and management software. Read the story.
Five Steps Toward Optimizing a Vocational Fleet Preventive Maintenance Program
The Fleet Management Liaison for NTEA provides five items to review and analyze in order to make sure your fleet maintenance program is on the right track. Read the story.
Track Your Fuel Usage
Article discusses why and when card access fuel stations make good business sense. Read the story.
Consider Synthetic Oil
Author discusses why synthetic oil may be of value. Read the story.
What You Need to Know About Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Emissions Changes
Ultra low sulfur diesel will soon be the norm. Make sure your fleet is ready. Read the story.
Managing Tomorrow's Fleet Assets Today
An expert with over 30 years of experience operating fleets of various types and sizes, John Dolce, tells how to determine when to keep machinery in your fleet and when to trade it in on something newer. Read the story.
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