If you have ever been in a larger urban area, you may have seen a street sweeper. Street sweepers are large trucks equipped with broom type sweepers, a suction like vacuum, water tanks, and sprayers. Street sweeping might seem counterproductive, but it actually serves a purpose.

Road debris, materials, objects and substances foreign to the roadway collect on and next to the road. Road debris is considered litter and can be produced by vehicles or other sources. Road debris includes dust particles, asphalt particles, tire parts, pebbles, and snow. Anything that is not the actual road is considered road debris. A large collection of road debris becomes hazardous. Tire damage, loss of control of a vehicle, and traffic accidents can result from road debris. Road spray, also hazardous, is usually liquid that is pushed out and kicked up by tires. Road spray becomes hazardous when it reduces visibility.

Street sweepers have actually been in use since waste removal and sanitation became a priority. A substantial portion of storm water pollutants are carried in small particles that collect on roadways. Modern street sweepers are able to pick up particles less than 10 micrometers in size. The water tanks and sprayers on newer street sweepers help loosen and reduce the very small particles.

Street sweeping is not exclusive to streets; street sweepers also clean parking lots and commercial lots. A search for DC commercial sweeping will lead you to a commercial street sweeper in the DC area.

Road debris is a hazardous and sanitation concern. If you own a business or are concerned about road debris in the DC area, you can search for “DC commercial sweeping”, “DC parking lot sweeping”, “Dc street sweeping“. and “Dc sweeping services” to find a street sweeping company in your area.

More research here.