Bismarck-Mandan MPO Kicks of Mobile Data Collection Project

The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) recently kicked off a project to inventory the condition of major and minor thoroughfare roadways within the region. To accomplish this, the MPO retained the services of Quality Engineering Solutions, Inc. (QES) based out of Reno, NV. QES is a nationwide firm and provides professional asset management and mobile data collection services to local and state government agencies.

This project will encompass all the MPO's functionally classified roadways-which include urban arterials and collectors in the region. Additionally, the City of Bismarck has joined this project and hired QES to survey all local Bismarck Roads. This is a routine capture, which his complete approximately every 4 years, and was last collected in 2020.

The consultant, QES, has subcontracted the data collection to Roadway Asset Services (RAS) which operates a fleet of state-of-the-art Roadway Asset Collection (RAC) vehicles that utilize sensors and instrumentation designed to support local governments in assessing the conditions of roadways and adjacent infrastructure assets.

The RAC vehicles are equipped with laser imaging and 360-degree camera systems that will collect imagery on all pavements and above ground, transportation related assets located within the right-of-way. The imagery will be utilized to develop a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for each roadway to update the MPO's pavement management program.

All major and minor thoroughfare roadways maintained by the MPO jurisdictions will be surveyed by the RAC vehicle to ensure that high quality data is acquired across the roadway network. The RAC vehicle is a Ford work van and will travel at posted speeds during daylight hours without interruption to traffic flows. RAC vehicles are expected to continue their collection through the end of next week, October 18^th.

If residents have any questions or need additional information regarding the project encouraged to contact the Bismarck-Mandan MPO's Project Manager, Rachel Lukaszewski by Email or by phone at 701-355-1852.