Specialized Vehicles for Urban Street Cleaning During COVID-19 Lockdowns

Street cleaning is a routine task carried out daily by public service and urban environmental units. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this work became significantly more challenging as it required maintaining operational efficiency while ensuring safety for frontline workers exposed to infection risks. Specialized cleaning vehicles have become essential tools to improve efficiency and reduce direct human exposure.

1. Waste Collection and Transportation Vehicles

These are the most common types of vehicles used in urban sanitation.

Before modern sweepers were introduced, street cleaning relied heavily on manual labor, with waste collected into bins and transported by garbage trucks.

Common types include:

• Standard waste collection trucks (for urban and medical waste)
• Compactor trucks with sealed containers for direct transport to treatment facilities
• Hook-lift trucks for transporting waste containers to centralized compacting stations

These vehicles are widely used due to their simple operation and ease of local manufacturing.

2. Road Washing and Water Spraying Vehicles

These vehicles are used for:

• Cleaning streets
• Reducing dust levels
• Watering trees and public green spaces
• Supplying water to construction sites

Key advantages:

• Front nozzles help push debris and dust off the road
• Rear spray systems provide continuous cleaning and irrigation
• Reduce manual labor and improve efficiency

They play a critical role in minimizing airborne dust, which is especially important during pandemic conditions.

3. Specialized Urban Road Sweepers

Road sweepers are among the most advanced and efficient cleaning solutions.

Functions:

• Sweeping and collecting waste
• Removing dust and debris
• Maintaining urban cleanliness at large scale

Types of operation:

• Vacuum-based sweepers
• Mechanical sweepers using conveyor systems
• Hybrid systems combining both technologies

A notable example is Dulevo technology:

• 70% mechanical collection (via brushes and vertical conveyor)
• 30% vacuum suction

This hybrid system enables:

• Collection of large and heavy debris (up to 350 mm)
• High-efficiency dust filtration (PM10 up to 99%, PM2.5 up to ~92%)
• Cleaner air output during operation

Why These Vehicles Matter During COVID-19

• Reduce direct contact between workers and contaminated waste
• Limit the number of workers required on-site
• Enable continuous and efficient sanitation of public spaces
• Support disinfection processes when equipped with spraying systems

These vehicles are considered essential infrastructure for maintaining urban hygiene and controlling infection risks during lockdown periods.