Lawrence, MA

Lawrence, MA Infrastructure Assessment

Summary

• Delivered AI-powered pavement assessment for 43 roadway miles by September 7, 2023, cutting delivery from months to weeks so street fixes start faster
• Equipped Lawrence with defensible, data-driven paving and maintenance plans that build confidence with residents and city council
• Residents benefit from quicker pothole repairs, safer travel, and clear timelines for when their streets will be addressed

Problem

Lawrence’s aging urban streets face heavy wear from winter freeze–thaw cycles and frequent utility cuts, yet the city was working from outdated or inconsistent condition data and did not know which roads to fix or when. With limited visibility into true pavement needs, leaders were often asked “Why not my road?” and struggled to justify actions in city council meetings as 311 complaints piled up. The lack of reliable, current data made it hard to show efficient use of taxpayer dollars and to defend paving budgets with confidence.

Solution

Lawrence chose Cyvl to rapidly survey the network with vehicle-mounted LiDAR and high-resolution sensors, capturing objective pavement condition across 43 roadway miles. Cyvl’s Infrastructure Intelligence platform used AI to convert raw data into segment-level condition scores, repair recommendations, and prioritized work lists, packaged in clear maps and reports. The city received actionable, defensible plans—grounded in detailed, current pavement condition data—that enabled faster decisions, better scheduling, and transparent communication with residents.

Impact

Within weeks, not months, Lawrence had a complete, data-driven view of pavement conditions delivered on September 7, 2023, so crews could move from reactive patching to proactive projects. With objective condition scores and ready-to-use repair lists, staff accelerated scoping and budgeting, shortening the time between data collection and project implementation. Residents saw quicker response to the most urgent safety and ride-quality issues, clearer timelines, and a credible explanation of how streets are prioritized.

• 43 roadway miles scanned and scored in weeks, giving public works immediate, actionable insight to launch projects faster
• Detailed, segment-level pavement condition data enabled defensible capital and maintenance plans that are easy to explain in city council meetings
• Faster mobilization of paving and patching crews reduced delays, so potholes are fixed sooner and daily commutes are safer
• Data-backed budgets and schedules improved the allocation of taxpayer dollars and helped secure timely funding approvals
• Transparent maps and reports cut down on 311 complaints by showing residents where, when, and why work is happening
• Work scheduling, budget allocation, and public communication are now streamlined with consistent, trustworthy data guiding decisions