Technology for municipal services is one of the focal themes at IFAT in Munich. The next edition of the trade fair for environmental technologies, taking place from May 30th to June 3rd, 2016, will show that the manufacturers are coming up with ever new answers to the changing conditions encountered by the users.

ca2a4636 4304 4091 9588 95e7ec620b00 ift 2016 p pi 06 street cleaning medium

According to the cleaning and municipal technology supplier Hako, it’s not only the industrialized countries that are interested in multifunctional equipment, it’s also increasingly the developing nations.

Dr. Olaf Heinemann, Product Manager in Municipal Services Technology at Hako, explains: “In developing countries the urban settlement structures are increasingly like those found in Europe, and the standards expected in the care of urban spaces are ever higher; both these factors are boosting interest in multifunctional machines. Simple operation without any language barriers, single-button operation and attachment recognition all facilitate rapid implementation.”

And there are further developments that can promote sales of these versatile all-round vehicles. According to the VKU (Verband Kommunaler Unternehmen), the German association of public utility companies, many cities and local authorities in Germany, for example, are now asking the municipal cleaning services to also take on the job of clearing the pavements, although in many local authority areas in Germany, this is the responsibility of the residents. The VKU sees this trend as boosting the market in particular for multifunctional equipment, below 3.5 tonnes in weight and suitable for use on pavements.

In the case of the large gritting trucks for winter services, the VKU reports that combined solutions are becoming ever more popular. Previously offered as alternatives, the two tasks of spraying salt or pre-wetted salt can now be performed by just one vehicle. When there is a lot of snow or ice, pre-wetted salt is an effective and preferred choice, but for use in preventing icy roads, spraying a salt solution produces excellent results, and it is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Applying a salt solution in a concentration adjusted to the conditions involves some 20 to 50% less consumption of salt than when spraying pre-wetted salt; and less salt means less damage to the greenery along the roadside and less salt load on the drainage systems from the melted water flowing into them.
 
In both winter road services and also in street cleaning the regulations are being stepped up across Europe. Frank Diedrich, Managing Director of the association, reports: “All leading manufacturers have completed the test with their machines. With this they are demonstrating their commitment to supporting the local authorities in the drive to improve air quality.” So far around 100 sweeper models have been tested, and many of these will be on show at the upcoming IFAT in Munich next year.