The transport fleet of M’Saken Municipality, Tunisia, has been equipped with GPS technology, leading to an expected reduction in fuel consumption of 20% and improved waste collection services.

All 43 of the vehicles run by the municipality have been fitted with an on-board computer with GPS technology, while fleet management software can use the data and programme the most efficient routes for vehicles to take. This is especially useful for the waste collection services in M’Saken, avoiding both overlapping circuits and missed collection points, thus helping to reduce the fuel consumption of the fleet, which is currently considered high at an average of 12000 litres per month.

Ultimately, through GPS geolocation, M’Saken hopes to ensure a better management of the garbage collection in every zone in both quantitative and qualitative terms – improving both costs and how citizens experience the urban environment.

The devices will require vehicles to pass through the circuit charted and to empty all collecting points. The real-time feedback of the system will produce alerts when bins and containers fail to be emptied, ensuring the quality of the service. This will help to produce a clean urban environment, greater citizen satisfaction and, ultimately, a better quality of life.