In its 2019 Strategic Plan Progress Report, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced it is working on developing a battery-electric mechanical broom and collection vehicle, and raising public awareness about its fleet safety efforts.

Over the past few years, DSNY has piloted several alternative-fuel technologies. The agency has been working with truck manufacturers to co-develop and test the possibility of a fully electric mechanical broom and collection vehicle, and expects to receive two of the first available prototypes in fiscal-year 2020.

Last fall, the agency completed structural rehabilitation at Pier 36 in order to enable progress on fuel tank replacement. In the last year, DSNY also transitioned to a cloud-based GPS system for improved reliability.

Trucks Used as Public Relations

A key to gaining public support is making sure residents are aware of the agency’s services. In September 2018, DSNY hosted a touch a truck event, giving the community the chance to interact with the fleet. The agency plans to host more touch a truck events in the future.

In February, DSNY announced “Trucks of Art,” a program that invited artists to use DSNY collection trucks as a canvas, creating art using paints that would otherwise be discarded or recycled. The painted trucks are expected to make their debut this summer.

DSNY continues to participate in Open House New York, and displayed fleet equipment at the New York Auto Show for the second time this year.

The report is based goals highlighted in the DSNY Strategic Plan, first issued in 2016. Read the full 2019 report here.