A third electric boat for Utrecht?
After the successful implementation of the electric beerboat in 2010 and the upcoming launch of the multi-purpose vessel replacing the existing garbage boat on 1 April 2012, Utrecht is investigating possibilities to furher expand waterborne urban transport.
The current waste disposal boat deals only with waste from bars and restaurants located along the canals wharfs in Utrecht. At road level however, waste disposal trucks collecting company and household waste are damaging historic cellars below the road surface. To prevent further long-term damage, the municipality is now investigating the option of collecting all waste on the canals - both on wharf and street level by boat. This could lead to the launch of a third boat in the near future. The challenge here is the transfer of garbage down to the boat. To achieve this, a system with slides or chutes now is being developed. To collect as much waste as possible, compress containers will be installed on the boat. Even with these technological compressors, waste volume will still be high. A separate third boat should be built for this aim. Alongside the technological study, the municipality is also preparing an environmental study, showing the benefits in terms of air quality and climate
Author: Mark Degenkamp
