Collierville board approves five-year contract for automated routing software for sanitation

The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously Nov. 24 to approve a multi-year contract proposal to add automated routing software to the town’s garbage and recycling trucks.

Public Works Director Josh Russell told the board the town ran a 90-day trial at no charge and received one proposal through its RFP process, from RouteWare Inc. He said the scaled-back system will rely on GPS and speed data (not RFID tags) to mark stops completed, provide a dashboard view for management, allow staff to add missed stops in real time and produce metrics on stop frequency and driver efficiency. Russell said the first-year cost in the proposal is $40,100 and that the contract term was presented as five years. He said the system was initially for the trucks that pick up carts and could later be expanded to other sanitation fleet vehicles.

Board members asked whether the in-cab displays would distract seasoned drivers and whether the software could be used in performance reviews. Russell said the version under consideration was intentionally scaled back due to cost and infrastructure limits; it will mark stops by speed/stop detection and allow supervisors to review routes and stop times. He said the system had already identified missed streets during the trial and helped eliminate an extra “help” route on Wednesdays.

Members also discussed training and how the data might be used. Russell said drivers can add notes in the system and the office has a real-time view of reported issues and photos.

A motion to approve the contract was made, seconded and approved on a roll-call vote; the board recorded six “yes” votes (Mister Hall; Mister Jordan; Miss Marshall; Mister Stamps; Mister Robbins; Mayor Frazier).

The town will proceed with the contracted service for garbage and recycling vehicles and staff said they may enhance the system in future years as budget and infrastructure permit.