PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation this week recognized a Philadelphia County highway maintenance manager for developing a street sweeping debris screening process that the agency said could reduce transportation and disposal costs by as much as $1 million.
Daniel Graham, a senior highway maintenance manager in PennDOT District 6, received one of the department’s annual Innovation Awards for creating a screening system used to separate dirt and debris collected by street sweepers.
PennDOT said the process allows crews to sift street sweeping material through a screening machine that separates soil from trash and debris, allowing each material to be disposed of separately.
The agency said the system is expected to lower costs tied to hauling, equipment rentals, and disposal operations.
PennDOT District 6 covers Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the awards recognize employees who identify operational improvements across the department.
“These awards honor PennDOT’s most creative thinkers, who go out every day and find innovative ways to meet the challenge head-on,” Carroll said.
District 6 Executive Din Abazi said the screening system created operational efficiencies while remaining simple for crews to use.
“This debris and dirt screener continues to check all the boxes of being cost-efficient, being easy to use, and offering new opportunities in carrying out PennDOT’s work,” Abazi said.
The annual Innovation Awards program recognizes PennDOT employees who develop new processes, tools, or operational practices aimed at improving safety, efficiency, or service across the department.
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