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the solid waste industry in Minnesota come in a multitude of configurations including manual loading versus automated loading, single axle to tandems with tag axles, gasoline and diesel, old and new, etc. It is beyond the scope of this report to determine efficiencies (fuel consumption) in a side by side comparison considering the multitude of variables that exist in the industry. Therefore the data presented in this report is blind to the vehicle variables but concentrates on comparing efficiencies on a relative fuel consumption basis. Driving distance between households serviced (stops) varies to some degree by block, development, neighborhood and city. To account for this variability, averages were determined and are utilized throughout this report. The data collected demonstrate there are substantial differences in the various areas of the cities' makeup and thus justifies the averaging methodology. The data also shows the differences in market shares by areas within those communities and the associated relational collection efficiency factors. 4.9.2 Establishing the Field Trial Data In order to develop a standardized data set that eliminates the variability of pieces of equipment used in the industry, a standard fuel economy factor was created. The base line data for this report was established by actual field test results. A 20 cubic yard, tandem axle, packer collection vehicle was used to replicate actual field collection activities and collect fuel economy information. This vehicle was equipped with an engine management system capable of monitoring and reporting the following parameters: Fuel consumption with accuracy of 0.01 gallons; • Time; and Number of occasions of brake use. The engine management system of the vehicle was set to zero and a specific set of field conditions were tested. The vehicle was driven a set distance, brought to a complete stop and immediately driven that distance again. This process was repeated at selected intervals for distances from 1.6 to 3.7 miles. After a period of time driving a specific distance interval, the engine management system data was collected and logged. This process was repeated at all of the specified distances and the data was collected. The different distance increments measured were 100, 220, 330, 500, and 660 feet. These incrementally increasing distances are necessary to demonstrate the variability of collection logistics that exist in the in-depth cities. The distances chosen and field trials were intentionally selected and conducted before the field observations in the in-depth cities began. Merely estimating the property widths that exist in urban Minnesota cities fails to account for the necessary extraneous driving required to accomplish driving by each and every household in any given community. There are cross streets present, and occasionally a minimal amount of backtracking to pass each household on the loader side of the vehicle. It was assumed before the study that the minimum distance would likely be near 100 feet. The balance of the distances used as the basis, were derived assuming that the relativity of the actual field trials would reveal distances significantly greater and therefore the increments are not exactly lineal. In order to account for the fuel consumption for the loading operation, the fuel consumption data was obtained by measuring the vehicle fuel consumption rate of the same vehicle used for the R - Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements.doc Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC • 107 June 2009