When the local street sweeper comes through your neighborhood, it’s mostly for aesthetic reasons.
Cleaning the runway surface at an airport is for safety.
You probably didn’t know, but airplanes litter every time they land. When the tires touch down, they skid on the surface and leave rubber deposits that need to be cleaned to prevent aircraft from losing traction, which is especially troublesome for aircraft taking off or landing in rain or strong winds.
The tarmac used to pave runways is much...