SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Officials of a South Bend are trying out new technology to collect leaves before they’re buried by ice and snow.

The South Bend Tribune reports that crews from South Bend’s street department recently began the leaf collection.

The department has mounted iPads on the back of 17 trucks that are equipped with leaf vacuums. Workers will be able to communicate with crews through the iPad when they scout ahead and identify locations where residents have raked leaves for pickup.

Crews can record if the leaves were picked up on the iPad or list reasons for not picking up leaf piles, such as obstacles in the way.

A department official says the data will be able to help the department adjust their schedules and routes to be more efficient.