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[edit] History
The cleanliness of roads has been a concern since their invention because they quickly became dumping grounds for all types of waste, resulting in numerous health concerns.
“From the Middle Ages until the early 19th Century ‘…the streets of European cities were foul with excrement and filth to the extent that aristocrats often held a clove-studded orange to their nostrils in order to tolerate the atmosphere.’”[1]
These concerns were not only prevalent in Europe, but in North America as well.
During the Industrial Revolution, coal dust proved very problematic. Dust would eventually settle on the streets and then rainfall would wash it into adjacent streams. Many of these streams were used as drinking water, making many people very sick.
Early streets were constructed of cobblestone and brick because of their ability to withstand great weight, but they had a plethora of hiding spots for sediment and refuse. This made cleaning very difficult.
[edit] Early Sweepers
Early street sweeping was accomplished by people armed with a shovel, broom, and dustpan walking up and down the streets, cleaning up what waste they could. It wasn’t until September 4, 1849 that the first street sweeper was patented by C.S. Bishop of Easton, Pennsylvania. It was a towed attachment fitted with a rotating brush wheel. The brush swept refuse onto a conveyor that lifted the material into a holding bucket.
Other sources claim inventor Charles Brooks of Newark, New Jersey was the pioneer of the street sweeper. His patent was acquired in 1896. However, the patent clearly states Brooks “invented new and useful improvements in Street Sweepers and Cleaners.”[2]
[edit] Improved Streets Reveal Refuse
Still, it wasn’t until the development and resulting popularity of the automobile that cleanliness of streets became a priority. American automobile clubs placed pressure on the government at local, state, and federal levels to begin constructing improved roadways. The Federal Highway Act was eventually passed in 1916 with pressure from the American Automobile Association. Soon, roads were built with smoother materials like macadam and concrete to make travel more comfortable. However, establishment of smoother roads decreased hiding places for refuse indicating a growing problem.
[edit] Murphy's Mechanized Sweeper
One pioneer in the street sweeping industry was John Murphy of Elgin, Illinois (some sources also claim he invented the street sweeper).[3] Murphy noticed “poor road conditions” in his hometown, as the streets were covered in dust, mud, and disease-producing bacteria.[4] He developed his first mechanized street sweeper in 1914 for the Elgin Sweeper Co. and sold it to the city of Boise, Idaho. It was the first self-propelled mechanical sweeper put to use.[5] It had three wheels (two in the front, one in the back) and was able to maneuver around horses, carriages and automobiles. The collecting hopper sat at the front of the machine, making it easier to dump out. The engine was located under and in front of the operator.
[edit] Other Developments
The first vacuum street sweeper was introduced in 1920.[6]
In the 1950s, Elgin introduced the first hydraulic broom on its “Street King” model.
[edit] Types/Features/How it Works
Regardless of manufacturer or model, USA governmental regulations like the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) require street sweepers to collect particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). Despite advancements in street sweeping technology, “mechanical broom-type sweepers still comprise about 90 percent of the street sweepers currently in use in the United States.”[7]
[edit] Mechanical
Removes debris by sweeping material onto a conveyor system, which transports it to a collecting hopper. PM10-certified mechanical sweepers include Elgin's Pelican and Eagle and Tennant's Centurion.[8]
[edit] Regenerative Air
Blows air on to the pavement raising fine particles and sediments, which are vacuumed up. PM10-certified regenerative air sweepers include Elgin's Crosswind J, Schwarze's A-series, and Tymco's 210 and 600 models.[9]
[edit] Vacuum
Combines the sweeping power of a mechanical model with the vacuum power of the regenerative air model. PM10-certified vacuum filter sweepers include Elgin's GeoVac and Schwarze's EV-2.[10]
[edit] Common Manufacturers
[edit] Additional Photos
[edit] References
- ↑ Brinkmann, Robert; Tobin Graham A. Urban Sediment Removal: The Science, Policy, and Management of Street Sweeping Pg. 16-17.
- ↑ Charles Brooks - Patents. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Muni truck History. Munitrucks.com. 2008-09-09., Can Street Sweepers Clean the Water. Environmental Science and Technology. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ About Muni Trucks. Munitrucks.com 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Streetsweeper.com. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Streetsweeper.com. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Street Sweepers. Stormwater. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Street Sweepers. Stormwater. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Street Sweepers. Stormwater. 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Street Sweepers. Stormwater. 2008-09-09.
