Roadway sweeper with multiple sweeping modes

A roadway or pavement sweeper with multiple sweeping modes for the removal of debris from a swept surface may, in some embodiments, include a sweeper vehicle having a pair of side-brooms independently movable between a retracted and extended position for sweeping debris into an area therebetween and at least one material-transfer broom to sweep a portion of the debris accumulated between the side-brooms as the vehicle moves in its direction of travel. A fan-driven suction-inlet may be provided at or adjacent each side of the vehicle. The at least one material-transfer broom may rotate in a first or other direction to transfer debris for entrainment into a selected suction-inlet for transfer to a debris hopper. Other embodiments are also described.