Using data and technology to make council services more effective and efficient was discussed at today’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure committee (19 December).
Members heard an update on how new, specialist software, being introduced, can help model the best routes and suggest emergency changes for cyclical activities such as waste collections, grass cutting, winter gritting etc.
The first stage is to test the new system on bin collections, which involved populating the system with all the routes, 48,000 household addresses, and details of waste and recycling sites.
Capabilities of the Routeware system include:
- Designing new routes that can be tested for efficiency and the ability to deliver, which will reduce the risk of service disruption, cut down on travel and carbon emissions;
- Reducing paper and automate workflows;
- Introducing in-cab tablets to link the workers with the office so the public can receive changes to service information quicker;
- Helping vehicles to be re-routed faster in the event of breakdowns or road closures.
Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said: “We deliver key services to every household in Argyll and Bute. We are mindful that we have to balance value for money with best service delivery.
“Using smart data will help us provide the efficient, modern services we know our customers wish for; being more agile in how we adapt to unforeseen events, and providing better customer service with up-to-date information going direct from the lorries to our back-office teams.”
The new system is due to be rolled out for waste uplifts in mid-2025.
Information on service changes can be found on the council website, or by signing up for our Keep in the Loop service.