PHILADELPHIA, PA \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Daniel Graham, a senior highway maintenance manager in PennDOT District 6, received one of the department\u2019s annual Innovation Awards for creating a screening system used to separate dirt and debris collected by street sweepers.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The agency said the system is expected to lower costs tied to hauling, equipment rentals, and disposal operations.<\/p>\n
PennDOT District 6 covers Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the awards recognize employees who identify operational improvements across the department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese awards honor PennDOT\u2019s most creative thinkers, who go out every day and find innovative ways to meet the challenge head-on,\u201d Carroll said.<\/p>\n
District 6 Executive Din Abazi said the screening system created operational efficiencies while remaining simple for crews to use.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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\u2019s work,\u201d Abazi said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n