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Overgrown grass

How Knowing Your Mowing Acreage Helps You Avoid Cost Increases

If you use mowing contractors, you may be familiar with the incremental “bump” in acres/prices that happens as they spend more time, labor, and resources to fulfill their mowing duties. That’s because often contractors accidentally begin mowing more and more areas. This scope creep is unintentional; sometimes, it’s just a normal byproduct of the job […]

How Proactive Ditch Cleaning Mitigates Emergency Mobilization

As an asset manager, you know how hard it can be to stay in front of potential emergencies. Asset management is a complex, ever-changing landscape and part of the job involves responding to unforeseen events. However, many asset managers report that 80% of their job is dealing with crisis and only 20% is devoted to […]

Man frustrated while reading over a request for proposal (RFP)

Are You Getting What You Ask for in Your LiDAR RFP?

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of any proposal that doesn’t spell out target accuracy requirement details and is coupled with a lower price. You may be left with inaccurate data that will cost you much more down the road, opening you up to costly change orders. A responsive and […]

PILLAR Helps VDOT Dramatically Reduce Nutrient Credit Cost

As you traveled Virginia’s roadways this summer, did you notice taller grass and wildflowers in the right-of-ways? It’s not an oversight. As part of its overall commitment to implementing sustainable approaches to managing Virginia’s roadway system, VDOT implemented a right-of-way maintenance program that significantly reduced mowing and converted eligible right-of-way spaces into beneficial land uses […]

DOT Strategies to Alleviate the National Snowplow Driver Shortage

For the third straight year in a row, DOTs are facing a shortage of snowplow drivers. A survey by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials shows that 84% of respondents reported higher to much higher snowplow operator vacancies than normal.  Snowplows are a critical component of keeping the roadways clear during winter storms. Without […]

Mobile LiDAR Van

Is Smartphone LiDAR Right for Transportation Asset Collection?

Apple fully embraced LiDAR technology when they released the iPhone 12 Pro that came equipped with a LiDAR scanner, giving users the ability to engage with augmented and virtual reality technologies more easily.   With LiDAR now available to any smartphone user, you may wonder if iPhones can be used for transportation asset collection. In […]

PILLAR to Begin Work on The Virginia Capital Trail

A new partnership between PILLAR and VDOT will utilize cutting-edge technology to make Virginia a safer, more beautiful place for cyclists and pedestrians. Recently, PILLAR received a task order to inventory assets, assess, and maintain the Virginia Capital Trail. The Virginia Capital Trail was originally a scenic road that connected Virginia’s capital to the coast. […]

Asset Managers: Take Control of Your Job

Is your job controlling you? With the overwhelming work it takes to keep up with operating and maintaining your transportation infrastructure, it’s easy to feel like you’re not in the driver’s seat. But it doesn’t have to be that way.   The Problem You may be tempted to think that the problem is the size […]