On‑Truck Tech Stack (reference)
| Layer | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compute & Edge AI | Jetson Orin, x86 fanless IPC, Pi‑5 + accelerator (NPU); containerized microservices | Runs CV models (contamination, potholes), sensor fusion, and compression at the edge. |
| Comms | LTE/5G, private LTE/CBRS, DSRC/C‑V2X, Wi‑Fi offload at depots | Buffered upload; MQTT/HTTPS to cloud; GNSS time/loc stamping. |
| Time & Position | GNSS + IMU; optional RTK for mapping campaigns | Ensures spatial alignment of sensor hits with street centerlines. |
| Power & IO | 12/24 VDC, DC‑DC isolation, PoE for cameras; CAN/J‑1939 access | Keep sensors electrically isolated from hydraulic actuators where needed. |
A) Environmental & Public Health Sensing
| Sensor/Tech | What you get | Typical hardware | Example use / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM (optical) | PM1/PM2.5/PM10 trends & hot‑spots | Alphasense OPC‑N3, Sensirion SPS30 | Trash‑truck mobile AQ pilot in Cambridge, MA (NASA/deSouza 2020) |
| Gases (NO2, O3, CO, CO2) | Traffic/combustion exposure mapping | Electrochemical + NDIR modules | Hyperlocal mobile monitoring platforms (City Scanner 2023) |
| TVOC (PID/MOS) | Odor/solvent indices on routes, transfer stations | PID (Ion Science), MOS e‑nose arrays | Mobile odor/VOC monitoring reviews (Ratti 2024) |
| Methane (CH4) | Leak/pass‑by plume detection | NDIR‑CH4; research‑grade laser spectrometers (TILDAS) | Street‑level mapping with instrumented vehicles (Google/EDF Air View; Aerodyne TILDAS) |
| Black Carbon (BC) | Diesel soot / exposure | AethLabs microAeth AE51/AL30 | Mobile BC monitoring (AethLabs; Good 2016) |
| Acoustics | Noise mapping (dBA, octave bands) | Class 1/2 microphones; MEMS arrays | Deployed on city vehicles in mobile campaigns (see City Scanner) |
| Mobile micro‑weather | UHI, microclimate (T/RH, globe temp) | Shielded sensors; IR thermometer | Garbage trucks as mobile weather stations (Notre Dame 2025) |
B) Safety & Fire‑Risk
| Sensor/Tech | Role | Example hardware | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal IR cameras | Detect hot spots in hopper/body pre‑ignition | FLIR/Optris thermal cameras | FLIR fire‑prevention • Optris app note |
| CO + Temperature | Li‑ion off‑gas cue with organics | Electrochemical CO + temp sensors | US EPA LIB fires report |
| CH4 (NDIR) | Detect landfill gas in body/headspace | NDIR methane modules | Edinburgh Sensors |
| H2S (electrochemical) | Odor/toxicity protection | CityTech/Honeywell 4‑series | Honeywell datasheet |
C) Road & Infrastructure Intelligence
| Sensor/Tech | What you get | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield/bumper cameras + CV | Pothole/crack detection; asset condition | Edge CV flags defects by GPS segment | SmartCitiesDive 2024 • Urban Milwaukee 2021 |
| Accelerometers (IRI proxy) | Roughness index from vibration signals | Works with smartphones or IMUs | NDSU 2024 report |
| LiDAR (optional) | Lane, curb, vegetation clearance, 3D | Higher cost; mapping campaigns | General mobile mapping practices |
| Thermal camera (road) | Heat‑island, failing pavement (wet spots) | Pairs with micro‑weather | UHI research (see A) |
D) Waste Operations & Service Quality
| Sensor/Tech | What you get | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopper cameras (CV) | Recycling contamination detection; proof of service | Mounted in hopper/arm; AI classifies contaminants | 3rd Eye • Compology coverage |
| On‑board scales | Payload/route productivity; overload prevention | Body/axle/load‑pin; API to billing | Vulcan — refuse |
| RFID/bin tags | Bin identity & service events | DIN 30745 tags; UHF/LF options | HID RFID for waste |
| Ultrasonic/LiDAR proximity | Auto‑arm alignment; obstacle detection | Improves speed & reduces collisions | Sensoneo (related tech) |
E) Fleet, Driver & Vehicle Telemetry
| Signal | What you get | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNSS + telematics | Route adherence; service verification; safety | Integrates dashcams & incident video | Geotab waste/recycling |
| J‑1939/CAN | Engine, DTCs, fuel, hydraulics | Predictive maintenance and uptime | Vendor telematics documentation |
| In‑cab environment | CO₂/ventilation for driver comfort | CO₂ & T/RH loggers | UCL 2022 study |
| 360° camera + radar | Blind‑spot reduction; collision avoidance | Multi‑cam DVR; radar side‑guards | 3rd Eye/Heil Connected Collections |
Governance & Privacy (essentials)
- Minimize PII: avoid license plates/faces when not necessary; if collected, blur/anonymize at the edge; define retention.
- Transparency: publish what’s collected, purpose, and retention; community review for environmental programs.
- Quality: calibrate sensors (field checks, collocation); log T/RH for compensation; version models & prompts.
- Open data: share non‑sensitive layers (e.g., potholes, air‑quality rasters) similar to Project Air View.
Sources (selected)
- Mobile air/PM on trash trucks: deSouza/NASA 2020 • ResearchGate summary.
- Mobile platforms: City Scanner (2023) • Aclima + Google Air View • Google/EDF methane.
- Road & potholes with RCVs: SmartCitiesDive (2024) • Urban Milwaukee (2021) • NDSU (2024) accelerometer IRI.
- Waste ops CV: 3rd Eye contamination • Compology.
- Safety/fire: US EPA LIB fires • FLIR • NDIR CH₄.
- BC & advanced gases: AethLabs microAeth • Good et al., 2016 • Aerodyne TILDAS.
- Cabin CO₂: UCL 2022.
- Mobile weather/UHI: Notre Dame 2025.