Parking lots, when not maintained properly, can be the filthiest and most polluted part of the city. With high average daily trips, which is the average number of vehicles that cross a given surface in a day, parking lots are exposed to dirt transported by these vehicles. The fast turnaround of customers that use these spaces make dust accumulate rapidly. Parked vehicles can also leak engine oil and other car products on the parking lot ground hence contributing to the accumulated dirt. The pavement also deteriorates fast because of overuse; therefore, sediments accumulate as road dusts. Most covered parking lots have poor ventilation, trapping emitted smoke inside and forcing an increase in deposition of emissions to the parking grounds.
Fine particulate matter, when airborne, can easily infiltrate a person's lungs causing various respiratory ailments. Aside from this, a high toxic load can be transported as water runoff from the parking lot, into the sewer system, and down to different waterways. This has a high impact on the drinking water source. Parking lots, therefore, can be a haven for air and water pollution.
Studies have discovered that modern day sweepers are effective in cleaning paved surfaces including parking lots. Carefully collected data on pollutant load show that regular parking lot flushing and sweeping lessen the toxic particulate matter found in water runoffs. Parking lot flushing is carried out by mechanical sweepers. Flushing with water is done to free any accumulated dirt or debris on the ground. Sweepers then make their pass using automated brooms that brush away the road dusts. The debris is then carried by a conveyor belt onto a hopper where they are collected. Collected rubbish is then disposed to proper dumpsites. Vacuum assisted sweepers are also used for parking lot flushing. They also have brooms that sweep the debris, as well as a vacuum that collects particles directly to the hopper. These types of sweepers are shown to be efficient in collecting fine fragments.
Another sweeper available is the regenerative air type. This makes use of blown air directed to the ground to aid in loosening accumulated dirt. Debris is collected onto the hopper also via vacuum. All of these sweeper types follow the Rule 1186 or PM10 Certified which means that these are built to collect particulate matter measuring ten micrometers and below. This is based on experiments that concluded that the toxic load and health concern to people is greatest when the particles measure less than ten micrometers. Modern sweepers also exhibit good maneuverability, specially made for small spaces like parking lots.
The Greater Toronto Area in Ontario advocates parking lot flushing and street sweeping as part of environment preservation. Cities in GTA offer regular street sweeping and parking lot flushing of all city owned roads and lots. Privately owned buildings are also required to have regular maintenance of their parking lots. To address this demand, many private contractors offer parking lot flushing and sweeping as part of their service. Although parking lots are made for cars, people should be responsible for maintaining them because neglect can result to disastrous consequences.
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