Mechanization of the collection of household refuse and data processing follow-up in the City of Paris

Abstract

The Paris Municipality decided in 1979 to introduce mechanized collection from wheeled containers. This consists in providing blocks of flats with containers with a capacity varying from 120 to 1100 1, depending on the expected refuse production and the layout of the premises and means of access. The containers are collected by means of tipper trucks with an open hopper equipped with raising arms, capable of manipulating any type of container. Mechanization of emptying operations has reduced the number of workers per truck from three to two. The containers are rented by the City of Paris to two firms which are in charge of their maintenance and regular washing. The Paris municipal services also have the objective of optimizing the means necessary for collecting the 1 million tonnes of annual refuse. With this view in mind they have carried out plans to minimize personnel numbers and amounts of equipment and have determined around 6500 collection itineraries per year, taking into account the capacity of the vehicles and local constraints. Recourse to data processing is possible thanks to the ROMA program (BETURE study) which, based on the data of the Urban Geographical Repertory available in Paris and a vehicles' file which enables the determination of optimal collection circuits.