Collection and Transportation Logistics Flashcards
7 cards from real CPWM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Collection and Transportation Logistics flashcards as text
What is the primary safety risk associated with side-loading collection vehicles operating in traffic?
Answer: Crew members working on the traffic side of the vehicle
When crews work on the traffic side of a side-loader, they are exposed to passing vehicles, making it one of the leading causes of waste worker fatalities.
Which performance indicator best measures the cost efficiency of a waste collection operation?
Answer: Cost per ton collected
Cost per ton collected normalizes operational expenses against productivity, enabling fair comparison between routes, crews, and service types.
In a dual-stream recycling collection system, materials are separated into which two categories at the curb?
Answer: Fiber (paper/cardboard) and containers (glass/metal/plastic)
Dual-stream recycling separates paper and cardboard from containers at the source to reduce contamination and improve material quality at the MRF.
What is the function of a 'packer blade' in a rear-load collection vehicle?
Answer: Sweeps and compresses waste from the hopper into the body
The packer blade is a hydraulic ram that moves waste from the loading hopper into the truck body and compresses it, increasing the payload per trip.
A waste hauler operating across state lines must comply with which federal agency's regulations for vehicle safety?
Answer: FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
FMCSA, under the Department of Transportation, regulates interstate commercial motor vehicle safety including driver qualifications, hours of service, and vehicle inspections.
What is 'bulky waste' collection, and how does it typically differ from regular curbside pickup?
Answer: Collection of large household items like furniture, typically scheduled separately or on special collection days
Bulky waste includes large items like furniture and appliances that don't fit in standard carts, usually collected on separate days or by appointment with specialized vehicles.
Which approach is used to calculate the number of collection vehicles needed for a given service area?
Answer: Estimate stops per day per vehicle, then divide total stops by stops per vehicle per day
Fleet sizing uses the total number of service stops divided by the estimated stops a single vehicle can complete per day, accounting for load capacity and travel time.