Waste Management shows Forest Park new automated side-loader trucks with cameras and sensors

Waste Management representatives presented new automated side-loader (ASL) collection trucks for Forest Park neighborhoods and described a "Smart Truck" program that uses onboard cameras and sensors to verify service and help identify recycling contamination.

Alan Owens, Waste Management public sector manager, said two new ASL trucks running on compressed natural gas have been operating in the city and that the vehicles' arms and mounted cameras will capture images and data for each container serviced. "Our program will utilize a ... system of sensors and cameras to capture footage of residential carts that are collected," Owens said. The footage will be audited by a designated WM coordinator to confirm collection and help resolve missed-service complaints.

WM officials emphasized cart placement rules: containers should be three feet from mailboxes, three feet between containers, lids oriented properly and wheels facing the resident's home (not away from the curb) so lids open and contents empty into the automated arm. Owens said cameras are already on trucks for safety and that images will not be shared with third-party marketers.

Councilmembers asked about increasing service frequency for multi-family properties, handling overloaded containers and whether the system allows the city to identify addresses that are not in WM's active service roster. WM staff said the technology can provide photos that show whether a residence is active in WM's billing/system and that collaborations with public works and code enforcement will follow for chronic misplacement or contamination.

Waste Management also presented a $5,000 check for recycling education and invited a photo opportunity; the company noted the ASL trucks may reduce manual handling and improve efficiency on hilly or constrained streets. Councilmembers raised resident education needs, multi-cart households and service levels for apartment complexes.