DPW FY 2017 Annual Report

New Technology Equals
Better Service
Mayor Bowser highlighted DPW’s
two solar-powered litter can pilot
programs at a June 22 press event
focused on the city’s rat riddance
efforts. The first program, made
possible by a DC Department
of Health grant, features 25
solar-powered litter cans
that compress their contents and
remotely indicate their real-time
levels of waste. The second pilot
features more than 400 litter cans
with sensors that communicate
the volume of litter in the can.
The data being collected from
both programs are being used to
add efficiencies to the litter can
collection program.
The District’s population explosion is producing new DPW
customers who expect timely solid waste collections and
snow removal. To ensure all residents are served properly,
we applied routing technology to our collection and
snow removal routes. This technology is improving our
operations and helping to control the use of our resources.
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District employees can use DC
taxicabs to travel in the District
for official business. This program
is an additional transportation
option that increases availability
of existing FleetShare vehicles
and allows agencies to right-size
their agency fleets over time,
thus realizing savings in vehicle
purchases, fuel and maintenance.
The new Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) system
allows viewers to see where DC snow plows (as well as
contractors’ plows and rental plows) have traveled throughout
the city. Weather information, key points about the snow/ice
removal program, and DC traffic camera views also can be
accessed. For those using a mobile device – smartphone or
tablet – the system will identify their location through their
GPS. Those using a desk computer, should enter their address
or any other address to see where the plows have been.
Drivers can enroll in a new DPW service to receive
electronic notifications if their vehicle has been
booted, towed or relocated in the District.
The new Tow and Boot Alert System will notify enrolled
drivers if a boot has been installed, or removed from
their vehicle, or if has been towed or relocated by
DPW or a company working on its behalf. Drivers can
register their vehicle into the system by visiting www.
dpw.dc.gov.