Solid Waste Route Balancing and
Optimization
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What:
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On March 5, 2012, the Department of Public Services will begin
utilizing RouteSmart Technologies for the solid waste collection
division. RouteSmart is the worldwide leading provider of route
optimization software. They meet future municipal route
planning needs comprehensively for:
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Residential and commercial recycling and waste
collection outing
Snowplow territory design
Street sweeping optimization
Utility meter reading
Inspector work area management
Leaf collection and other routing problems that
require every street to be serviced
Key Benefits
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 Balances routes, tonnage, and time more evenly
among employees
 Saves money while affecting approximately 30% of
properties
 Increases productive collection time
 Optimizes route travel
Estimated Cost Savings After Optimization
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 In 2012, anticipated cost savings total $961,960 (including
employee Benefits).
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Requires an increase in daily work hours from 4.79 to 6.02 hours per crew or
a 23% increase
Comparable private sector companies target 8 to 10 hour work days for most
cost efficient use of assets
 In 2013, the anticipated cost savings total approximately
$1.1 million (including employee benefits).
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The additional savings in 2013 is the result of achieving the full salary
savings of one filled position.
The full savings from the maintenance of vehicles and fuel expenses is also
realized in 2013.
Projecting Number of Daily Routes
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 Project Team used RouteSmart Routing Software to
project balanced, optimized collection system routes
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Develop new collection days to evenly distribute units and tons
based on current City productivity
Develop the correct number of routes based on current City
productivity and goals
Develop the most efficient Path Routes for drivers to follow
while collecting the route
 Project Team double checked outcomes using MSW
Consultants proprietary collection system model
What Does This Mean For Our Citizens?
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In an effort to keep trash collection costs low,
their recycling collection week
and/or their trash collection day may change
March 5, 2012.
Information Is Headed Their Way
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We are asking residents, to please mark their calendars
and watch the mail for more specific information…as
it relates to their trash pick-up day and/or recycling
pick up week.
Outreach Efforts
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Landlords and residents will receive trash day change
and/or recycle week change information in the form
of a postcard. The fronts will look like this:
Flip Side of Postcard
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Day or week
change will
be
prominently
displayed
here
Outreach Efforts continued…
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 A section will be added to the City’s website with information on trash
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day and/or recycle week changes.
We are also developing a telephone app for smart phone users that will
give them trash, recycle and other service information when their
address is entered.
The Director is making the rounds to all community councils to explain
how the changes will effect their respective communities.
All call takers are being trained on how to assist customers who may
call in for help, concerns, complaints, etc.
A press conference will be held to announce the transition.
Drivers are being provided a postcard with information and a telephone
number to give to customers should they be approached while out on a
route.
Beyond Route Optimization:
Immediate and Future Opportunities
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 Short Term
 Immediate savings for City Public Services
 Safer alternative for employees
 Long Term
 Positions City to:
Phase in automated collection
 Optimize other collection services (bulky, yard waste)
 Look at the feasibility of revising solid waste ordinances
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Questions?
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