The objective is to sweep main thoroughfares twice a month, the downtown area weekly, and residential streets every four to six weeks. All sweeping routes are on a schedule. Sweepers are used to remove leaves from the street that fall from trees along the roadway. Residents are urged not to rake yard leaves into the street because it impedes storm water flow into the underground system. Such action may result in serious flooding and it is a violation of the Durham City Code.
Sweepers also respond to emergency hazards or traffic hazards in the street.