The ProblemSection two understanding the Refuse lorry.

perception test

5

What do you think when you see one?

Write down two words that you think when you see a refuse lorry.

Write down two words that you think when you see a refuse lorry.

Word Association

Add any additional comments.

Add any additional comments.

Contents

PAGE 16-17

PAGE 4-7 Page 18-21

Section two

Perception testCurrent Council Refuse Lorry Exterior

Page 12-15 Page 22-27This booklet contains refuse lorry investigation material. Throughout the document there are a variety of images, which include stills from videos.

Day in the life offOther council vehicles

Private Sector, O’Briens

PAGE 8-11Current Council Refuse Lorry Interior

page 28-29Flow diagram/ time line ideas

NEXT sTAGE

4 5

Current Council

Refuse LorryThe next few pages will show images of the current Newcastle City Council Refuse lorry exterior as well as some of my thoughts when conducting the research. The vehicle in the image to the left is a DaFF

lorry, this is a common choice for council. The main factor for this is that it’s relativity cheap to buy and maintain. From speaking to Stephen as you’ve seen in the previous booklet, it’s clear that the Volvo’s and Mercedes are better manufac-ture. But this quality comes at a premium that is to high for the council to afford. As mentioned in the interview transcript and the fact cards the council usually run these vehicles for seven years, or until they break. The models the council are running at the moment will may be replaced later this year, or the start of next as they are coming to the end of their cycle.

In nearly all cases the refuse lorry comes from a standard chassis, such as the one seen to the left. For example the manufacture of the cabin and chassis in this case DAFF will provide these parts. Then this will be sent of to a specialist for the rear section to be attached to the chassis. In this case it’s a phoenix rear section, which is made by Dennis Eagle one of the biggest Refuse vehicle manufactures in Europe.

6 7

Exterior Parts

Ladder folds down so the inside can be cleaned out. This is usually done quite often.

“Rubbish gets stuck at the back”

Located on the side of the lorry is a hand washer. This doesn’t get used as much, as the workers tend to use hand wipes.

“Gets used more often in the summer”

The rear section of a refuse lorry works like an arm. It drags and pushes all the waste right to the back compressing it.

“Pushes the waste all the way back”

Each council refuse lorry has room for advertisement. These are usually ad campaigns for waste.

“Advertising boards on each side”

8 9

Current Council

Refuse Lorry InteriorThe next few pages will show the current Council Refuse lorry interior cabin. I’ve included my own initial thoughts as well.

10 11

Interior Parts

Located around the cabin are these handles. These are essential for entering and exiting the vehicle due to it’s size and height.

“Handles are a must for entering the vehicle”

There’s only one seat at the front, the other-side is used to get in and out for the other passengers. Very closed in and small considering the size of the vehicle.

“Engine makes it a awkward interior cabin”

Very worn seat, which are uncomfortable. A lot of items such as cans of drink are stored behind the back.

“One long seat at the back enough for three people”

In every Refuse lorry there is a medical kit and a fire extinguisher.

“Health and safety plays a big part”

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Other Council

VehiclesRefuse lorries aren’t the only vehicle the council use. The next few pages will showcase a few images of other vehicles used on a regular basis.

14 15

These vehicles take away any council skips as well as the massive industrial skips at tips.

Skip and tip removal

You can organise for the council to take items away, for example sofas or cabinets.

The council have only one of these vehicles, and it’s used for the really narrow streets.

Narrow access vehicle

These vehicles help deliver new bins for customers, as well as provide transport for large kerbside waste.

Street waste removal

Large item removal and bin delivery

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Private company

Refuse Lorry

Mercedes lorries are used for O’Brien’s Refuse collection, though there are still some older models driving around the streets of Tyne and Wear. Along with the Volvo models these are the best that money can buy, this is down to a high specification they provide as well as excellent build quality.

As mentioned with the Council Refuse lorry the manufacture in this case Mercedes will send a cabin and chassis, then this gets forwarded on to a specialist company to fit the rear section. One thing about O’Brien waste recycling solutions is they have separate lorries for different materials. For example if they had a collection of glass they’d send a specialist lorry to pick up that request. This is the same for card and paper as well as plastic.

The equipment on and off this vehicle are some of the best you can buy. For instance O’Brien’s workers have PDA’S which I’ve mentioned in my interview with Ian Turnbull. These PDA (personal digital assistants) enable the workers to track the jobs they’ve done, as well as find all the details for a current job. It also gives them the ability to take pictures of any problems, such as parked cars or locked bins.

O’briens sent me some images of their current Refuse lorry. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any of the interior and compare them to the council vehicle.

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Quick Word Association

the Refuse LorryThis is a perception test that I got a number of people to do. It showed great insight in to how people react when they see the refuse lorry.

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Results

11 out 12 People chose the O’breins lorry

Which one do you prefer?

Common words associated with

Common words associated with

“The colour on the council vehicle suggests that’s it’s carrying rubbish, whereas the blue O’Briens lorry has a cleaner more appealing vibe”

notable comments?

“Noisy” “Dirty”

“Both lorries look like could a variety of purposes”

“why are bin lorries so loud and smelly?”

“I feel they are ugly, and the choice of colour is something that makes a massive difference”

“Smelly”

“modern”

“cleaner”“Recycling”

22 23

Day in the life of

Bin Man I managed to get a few hours with a trade waste crew in the city centre. This showed me great insight in to the problems they have. On the memory stick in the pack is two 30 sec videos which I managed to get.

Yes that’s me!

24 25

Interior view

Centre SECTION Rear SEATS

REAR LIFT CONTROLS

Weight SENSOR

The image to the right shows the amount of keys the Trade waste team have to carry. Also in the shot is a paper document with all the bins that need to be collected.

In the cabin the driver can see the loading of the bin through a camera that looks down from the top. I’ve included a video on the memory stick.

“We remember the routes in our head”

A view of the main cabin. Everything is driver orientated.

“Visibility could always be better”

This image shows the rear seats at the back of the cabin. There is enough room for about three workers.

“Uncomfortable, but easy to get up from”

Electronic sensor that measures the weight of the waste. When it reaches a certain point they take it to the tip.

“Make two trips to the dump a day”

The image to left shows the control panel for the rear lift on the refuse lorry. It’s really easy to use, and also can do it automatically via sensors.

“Really easy to use, manual or automatic”

Camera “ Can look for any problems”

26 27

Interview with

Bin menThis is a interview I had with the bin men went I spent a few hours with them. I asked them certain questions and proposed some of my ideas.

9/01/2015

One of my first questions was about the size of the vehicle, and how easy it

is to get in and out. “Low entry cab would make it a lot easier”

Visibility in a vehicle this size is surely an issue, and suggested whether a 360 camera would be a good addition.

“Don’t want loads of screens, though a camera system would be good”

Some of the main issues they face on a day to day basis, are parked cars in the front of the bins; traffic a problem especially taxi’s and buses have no patience; sometimes the paper work they have to fill out can be a problem, no way of telling which bin they have collected. So a possible automatic system could be a benefit.

Like the other two council related interviews I’ve asked a similar question when I’ve spoken to them.

Which is what they would do with a blank check book, what would they change? When I asked this to the bin men they responded with

“The bins are a massive problem, the wheels always break making it difficult to move them. So if anything it would be new bins or something to help in moving them” I was surprised at this comment, as I assumed it would be something relating to the lorry its self. Other things I found out were that they have a massive amount of keys for a range of different buildings so they can get bins out. On my trip with them I found that they have a lot of interaction with business owners. Going in to a local cafe to grab the keys for the bin. One worker described it as part of the service. I found out that there isn’t much training, just some for the lift at the back and the driver gets assessed.

Summary of conversation,

The Main Points

I also posed the question of being able to hang or sit on the back of the lorry. I know this was taken away due to health and safety, but I described seating

with cover on the side to try and persuade them. “ I wouldn’t feel safe with anything like that personally, plus health an safety is a massive issue now so I doubt you’d be able to do it.”

Bin improvements or something

to assist.

Improved cabin, something with easier

access.

Camera system could

be a good addition

28 29

Ideas From

Second stage of investigation

NEXT sTAGE

First section

Refuse lorry

Lorry interior

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2

“A bendy lorry, similar to the bendy buses. Make it easier for manoeuvring in the narrow streets “

“New interior layout. A centred driving position possibly, more engine layout make more room “

Day in the life of

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Perception test

5

This is a quick timeline/flow chart showing my journey to the next stage. I’ve added some of my ideas at different sections, with my thoughts for and against the idea.

“A traffic light system fitted to the lorry, give more information to other drivers try to ease road rage”

“Will motorists even pay attention to and just drive past?”

“Could be an interesting concept, using timers and screens relays info to other drivers.”

“Could be a really interesting concept, different ways to do it”

“Not sure how practical it will be, could cause issues with rear section”

“Possibly take inspiration from current car trends, example the I8 layering technique give it a completely different look”

“Could be a great way to change the perception of the vehicle, make it something different.”

“Cost could be a big issue with this”

Other vehicles

3

o’briens

4

“Loads of small vehicles with one large mother type vehicle, similar in to a way ants work”

“How big and small are talking? Would these vehicles hold enough waste”

“Could be a really interesting concept, they mentioned smaller vehicles would be easier for them.”