PHILADELPHIA – With 14 residential areas designated for mechanical cleaning this season, the Streets Department announced six virtual community meetings where residents and stakeholders may gain a better understanding of the Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program.  Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions of Department leadership following the presentation.

With the support of Mayor Kenney’s $62 million investment over five years in street cleaning, the Streets Department has expanded Phase II to include cleaning in 14 neighborhoods identified through the Litter Index as having the highest concentration of litter.

Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend any of the following Zoom meetings using meeting ID: 836 7765 6475 and passcode: 127032.  Residents can also connect via phone at 267-831-0333.  A Zoom presentation followed by a live question and answer segment is available on the following dates:

“We know there is a direct correlation between a clean neighborhood and how people feel and perceive the safety of their community,” said Mayor Kenney. “Mechanical cleaning supports   residents and business owners in areas more prone to litter. This expansion and the upcoming community meetings bring us closer to our goal, in which every neighborhood is a litter-free and welcoming environment for families, businesses and visitors.”

The 2022 Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program will launch on Monday, April 4 in the following areas:

( *indicates areas with “no parking” signage installed as of March 9.)

“This initiative helps to reduce trash and litter conditions in the City’s most vulnerable communities,” said Acting Managing Director Vanessa Garrett-Harley.  “The areas selected have been identified as requiring additional city services to supplement cleaning efforts.”

To facilitate a more detailed cleaning, there will be restricted street parking on streets wide enough to accommodate relocation of vehicles. Some of the routes in the expanded mechanical cleaning pilot program will require residents to move their vehicles.

“Mechanical broom cleaning is most effective when the brooms are able to reach the curb lines,” said Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. “The City’s densely populated neighborhoods present challenges when relocating vehicles. The areas can be tight and finding parking spots can be challenging. Therefore, relocation of vehicles will be selected based on the width of each block.”

In preparation for the launch of phase II of the Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program, the Streets Department has been installing poles and posting signage along with testing equipment on designated routes in selected areas.  Authorized Philadelphia ticketing agencies will begin issuing warnings on vehicles parked on the roadway during specified no parking times during the first month of the Phase II pilot. Beginning on May 1, posted “No Parking” signs will be enforced with assessed fines. For the success of the program and to avoid fines, residents must adhere to the parking restrictions listed on the posted signs.

To date, “No Parking” signage during specified times has been posted in six of the fourteen Phase II areas. As such, residents may notice mechanical cleaning signage presently posted on their blocks.

The Streets Department will continue to install signs over the course of the season in the remaining eight areas. Residents should anticipate a 30-day warning period following the installation of any new signage and move vehicles as indicated.   Parking is restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., on a staggered schedule.

Alternate street parking intervals will be staggered from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Any unplanned obstacles, i.e., blocked streets or mechanical failure may cause a delay or cancellation for the day. Efforts will be made to service locations as quickly as possible. The mechanical sweeping program will operate five days per week, Monday through Friday excluding City-observed holidays.

The mechanical cleaning pilot program will be a hybrid of mechanical sweeping, sidewalk litter and trash removal, and trash compactor removal. The Department will continue to evaluate and adjust logistics as necessary to ensure the program is operating effectively and efficiently. Some streets in each pilot area may have sidewalk cleaning maintenance along with mechanical broom cleaning weekly.

Mechanical street cleaning is an effective tool in reducing litter from city streets and preventing trash and debris from entering the water systems. “Mechanical cleaning supports the City’s efforts to make Philadelphia streets safer by keeping streets free of debris.  This will enhance and provide a good and safe experience for all users,” said Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation.

This pilot program is more comprehensive than standard mechanical sweeping. Equipment used in some areas will help to clear loose litter on sidewalks and other items not easily accessible with a standard mechanical sweeper. The equipment includes mechanical brooms (large and small), sidewalk sweepers, push brooms, and trash compactors used to remove illegally dumped materials. Backpack blowers will be used as part of the launch but not on all streets. They are an effective tool when clearing debris from sidewalks and on small streets where the mechanical broom is unable to fit.

This year’s program will run from April through November. Residents should become accustomed to the new parking restrictions and become familiar with City sanitation regulations. To ensure proper cleaning is maintained, SWEEP Officers will patrol neighborhoods to educate residents on sanitation violations related to trash and litter and may issue warnings on vehicles not moved during designated times.

To minimize the inconvenience during parking restrictions, the Streets Department is finalizing the design of SweepPHL, a web-based map that allows residents to track and monitor the progress of the mechanical broom. The online tool will be housed on StreetSmartPHL.

Residents are reminded that the Mechanical Street Cleaning Pilot Program supports community led efforts to clean blocks. City Sanitation regulations must be adhered to including setting trash out on regular collection day in the authorized location. Only household trash should be set out for pick up.  Visit www.phila.gov/streets for specific regulations.