Yellowstone County Public Works is pleased to announce that, in our ongoing efforts to improve road conditions and ensure the safety and satisfaction of our residents, we have partnered with Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) to deploy the IrisPRO Pave vehicle, as well as the trailer mounted FAST Falling Weight Deflectometer (FFWD), throughout our communities.

The IrisPRO Pave and FFWD are two separate operations. Both operations share the singular goal of gathering data on our paved roads to better assist Yellowstone County Public Works in making informed decisions regarding pavement management to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars on the county's road network. The IrisPRO Pave will analyze the condition of our pavements, identifying any issues such as cracks, potholes, and other surface irregularities that require attention. The FFWD offers significant benefits for our road infrastructure with its advanced, non-invasive technology that assesses pavement and base integrity without damage.

The IrisPRO Pave and the FFWD will begin data collection in early November, temperature dependent. The IrisPRO Pave operates at posted speeds, moving with the flow of traffic. The FFWD will be more noticeable as it is a trailer mounted device that requires collecting data while stationary. This requires the vehicle and trailer to stop roughly every 400 to 500-feet while traveling down our roads. Please use caution when approaching this vehicle, noticing the flashing lights mounted on the rear of the trailer. IMS crews will be working throughout daylight hours, Monday through Sunday for most of November if weather permits.

Yellowstone County appreciates your understanding, patience, and support as IMS operates within our communities.