Every Street in Billings is Getting a High-Tech Checkup

A high-tech van loaded with 3D imaging equipment is set to begin cruising nearly every paved street in Billings this week. The City of Billings Public Works Department shared details about the project in a Facebook post on April 21.

The van is made by Applied Research Associates, Inc., and the equipment attached to the exterior of the vehicle is a combination of laser, LIDAR, and cameras. The imaging equipment is used to inspect the surface of the roads. Until now, this data was collected manually, requiring significant man-hours.

Credit City of Billings Public Works via Facebook.

This road surface scanner van will cover all 570 miles of centerline paved streets in Billings from April 24 to May 7. The city notes that data collected from the project will help Public Works make smarter decisions for pavement preservation treatments like chip seal, fog seal, overlays, and more.

Credit Canva/City of Billings Public Works

Bonus: The Infrastructure Assessment Vehicle will not impact traffic while it conducts its road scanning across the Magic City; it moves with the flow. Perhaps the only thing you need to worry about is not tailgating the van (signs on the back state "Stay back 200 feet").

To browse the City of Billings' capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2024 - 2028, you can check out this detailed PDF here.

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