As the temperatures rise this summer, so do the challenges facing local authority road sweeping teams. From the scarcity of rain to mechanical weeding and outdoor events, local councils have a job on their hands battling against these elements.
Here, we outline the top three hurdles and share our top tips for overcoming these challenges through smart asset management.
Lack of Rain
One of the main challenges during summer road sweeping season is the absence of rainfall. With reduced wet weather, there is less natural cleansing of dust and debris from the streets. This becomes particularly problematic in bustling cities where the constant movement of people and vehicles stirs up dust.
To gain the upper hand over dusty streets, local authorities require road sweepers equipped with effective dust suppression methods. These can include built-in high-pressure washers and multiple brushes that capture and contain dirt and debris in a spacious hopper.
Mechanical Weeding Season
Summer is the time for mechanical weeding, where highway maintenance teams utilise specialized equipment to eliminate weeds from pavements and roadsides without resorting to chemicals. While this method is crucial for road upkeep, it can create additional cleaning requirements.
As weeds are removed, they leave behind soil and debris on the roads. Promptly sweeping up this dirt is the most efficient response. When road sweeping teams follow mechanical weeders to collect any residual mess, it minimizes the impact and ensures that public areas remain clean and safe.
Increased Outdoor Activity
Summer is synonymous with outdoor public events, such as concerts, festivals, and sports fixtures. While these gatherings are a wonderful way to enjoy the season, they can also generate additional cleaning needs for road sweeping teams.
With more people and activity on the streets, there is an increased risk of littering and debris. To keep the roads clean, road sweeping teams must collaborate closely with event organizers to ensure the prompt removal of any waste.
Breathing Space
Equipped with the right tools, summer road sweeping can effortlessly address the challenges outlined above. Moreover, it can have a positive impact on air quality by eliminating dust and pollen from road surfaces, preventing their circulation in the air.
All this can be accomplished while embracing a green cleaning strategy that minimises environmental harm.
Our range of electric road sweepers can help keep towns and cities safe and clean, while keeping emissions lean and green. Our prestigious fleet includes the Lynx Charge compact sweeper and the Bucher MaxPowa V65e truck mounted sweeper, which both boast significant environmentally friendly credentials, without compromising on first-class performance. The Lynx Charge features 2m3 container capacity and unparalleled power. Built on the same platform as the diesel-powered Lynx, the Charge uses a custom-designed battery pack and innovative systems to utilise available energy.
The Bucher MaxPowa V65e is 100% electric, offering a solution for zero emissions sweeping combined with longer on-station time, ease of use, and low operational costs.
Both eco-friendly sweepers are available on flexible contract hire through our Smarter Asset Strategy. This provides local authorities with various options, giving them access to the latest green street cleaning technology on a flexible, affordable basis, without the need for major financial outlay. We also offer short term options, with one to thirteen week hire periods.
This article first appeared in the summer issue of LAPV. To subscribe for free click here.
