Motorists Urged to Use SweepPHL Map to Track and Monitor Mechanical Broom Progress
PHILADELPHIA – The Streets Department and Philadelphia Parking Authority announce enforcement in select areas for the Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program begins on Monday, May 9. Motorists that do not adhere to the posted “No Parking” signs will beg subject to fines.
Phase II expansion of the City’s Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program began on Monday, April 4. With the support of Mayor Kenney’s $62 million investment over five years in street cleaning, the Streets Department expanded Phase II to include cleaning in 14 neighborhoods identified through the Litter Index as having the highest concentration of litter and 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. “Mechanical broom cleaning is most effective when the brooms are able to reach the curb lines,” said Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. “We want to provide the designated areas with a thorough cleaning. A full-detailed cleaning cannot be completed if the brooms must maneuver in between vehicles. For the success of the program and to avoid fines, residents must adhere to the parking restrictions listed on the posted signs.”
“No Parking” signage during specified times will be enforced in the following six areas beginning Monday, May 9:
- North Central: Broad St. to 22nd St. from Glenwood Ave. to Diamond St.
- Kensington: 2nd St. to Kensington Ave. from Tioga St. to Lehigh Ave.
- South Philly: McKean St. to Oregon Ave. from 4th St. to 8th St.
- Southwest: Woodland Ave. to Kingsessing Ave. from 49th St. to Cemetery Ave.
- Strawberry Mansion: Diamond St. to Lehigh Ave. from Sedgley St. to 33rd St.
- West Philly: Parkside Ave. to Spring Garden St. from 52nd St. to 40th St.
To minimize the inconvenience during parking restrictions, the Streets Department has designed SweepPHL, a web-based map that allows motorists to track and monitor the progress of the mechanical broom. Motorists can view when the broom has completed cleaning during the two-hour window to determine when and if they can return their vehicle. The online tool is housed at StreetSmartPHL.phila.gov.
To allow motorists to become accustomed to the new parking restrictions, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) issued warnings on vehicles parked on the roadway during specified no parking times during the first month of the Phase II pilot. “The PPA is happy to partner with the City’s Streets Department to clean our neighborhood streets and make Philadelphia a more beautiful place to live and work,” said Deputy Executive Director Corrine O’Connor.
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 Monday through Thursday excluding City-observed holidays.
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. Some streets in each pilot area may have sidewalk cleaning maintenance along with mechanical broom cleaning weekly.
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. Posted signage has been completed in the Logan area from Godfrey St. to Roosevelt Blvd. from Broad St. to 5th Sts. Area residents have been notified the 30-day warning period has begun.
The 2022 Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program is taking placein eight additional areas:
- Frankford: Bridge St. to Adams Ave. from Griscom St. to Torresdale Ave.
- Germantown: Berkley St. to Chelten Ave. from Pulaski Ave. to Wakefield St.
- Logan: Godfrey St. to Roosevelt Blvd. from Broad St. to 5th Sts.
- Nicetown: Broad St. to Clarissa St. from Hunting Park Ave. to Windrim St.
- Point Breeze: Christian St. to McKean St. from Broad St. to 24th St.
- Port Richmond: Kensington Ave. to Aramingo Ave. from Tioga St. to Lehigh Ave.
- Strawberry Mansion: Diamond St. to Lehigh Ave. from Sedgley St. to 33rd St.
- West Fairhill: 5th St. to 13th St. from Glenwood Ave. to Susquehanna Ave.
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.
The program will run through Tuesday, November 30, 2022. The Streets Department will continue to evaluate and adjust logistics as necessary to ensure the program is operating effectively and efficiently. 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.
