Even as municipalities continue to vie to recruit and retain solid waste drivers, they still have to keep a laser focus on the broader goals of their operations. Increasing landfill diversion, decreasing recycling contamination, and continually finding ways to do more with less are on everyone\u2019s minds.<\/p>\n
Tools for fleet automation help streamline operations and save costly inputs like labor hours and fuel, while reducing vehicle wear-and-tear and subsequent maintenance costs. Plus, in-cab computers that send routes directly to drivers and help them stay in constant communication with the back office also make the driver\u2019s job easier and more enjoyable.<\/p>\n
When drivers are empowered with technology like onboard tablets and truck cameras, they can keep an eye on contamination and play an important role in educating customers about solid waste programs.<\/p>\n
In the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in fact, drivers use cameras to snap photos of overfilled carts they don\u2019t collect, arming the customer service team with evidence they can use to educate the resident if they call to complain. Drivers also place hang-tags on carts with unpaid bills, alerting customers about why their refuse wasn\u2019t collected.<\/p>\n
Drivers have come to rely on technology to help them get the job done efficiently and effectively \u2014 so much, in fact, that many say they don\u2019t want to run a route without a tablet!<\/p>\n
The City\u2019s solid waste program is structured to encourage recycling, decrease landfilling, and limit contamination. Residents pay one solid waste fee based on the trash they throw away, and there\u2019s no charge for recycling.<\/p>\n
Drivers are the first line of defense when it comes to making sure that residents follow program rules.<\/p>\n
Documenting program violations or additional charges needs to be done in a way that\u2019s fair and transparent, otherwise drivers are on the spot to justify their decisions in the face of customer complaints. Residents who have a negative account balance will receive an orange tag on their cart, and it won\u2019t be picked up. Overfilled or inaccessible carts are passed by. Contaminated carts are photographed and left on the curb until they\u2019re corrected. And late set-outs are charged a go-back fee if it can be proven that it was not missed by the driver. None of this can happen efficiently with manual processes \u2013 or with a technology solution that\u2019s difficult to use.<\/p>\n
A software solution can only deliver results if it\u2019s consistently used across the fleet. Grand Rapids\u2019 previous fleet management software wasn\u2019t embraced by drivers because they found it cumbersome and overly technical. The municipality switched over to Routeware in 2018, installing 33 onboard tablet computers, 36 cameras, 32 RFIDs, and picture service. They also added a subscription to EasyRoute for efficient route optimization. Driver uptake of the Routeware system was much faster because it\u2019s more intuitive and easier to troubleshoot on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cRouteware is easy for drivers to use. You don\u2019t have to be tech savvy, and they can use it without support,\u201d said Robert Swain, Grand Rapids Acting Manager of Public Works.<\/p>\n
With technology supporting collaboration between drivers and the back office, the City\u2019s public works team was able to dramatically improve communication, operational efficiencies, and customer service. Routeware enhances the feedback cycle, providing vital reporting and analysis that helps strengthen Grand Rapids\u2019 sustainability culture.<\/p>\n
The Grand Rapids Public Works department is using Routeware and EasyRoute to solve for a number of issues \u2013 in the trucks, in neighborhoods, and in the office:<\/p>\n
By using Routeware and EasyRoute, Grand Rapids is building a culture around collaboration and sustainability. Drivers are more mindful of running their routes efficiently when they have transparency into how their truck fits the overall system. Data and video that comes out of Routeware supports tangible discussions about how the whole team can work toward common goals.<\/p>\n