Needham, MA

Needham, MA Infrastructure Assessment

Summary

• 125 roadway miles surveyed and analyzed in weeks, enabling faster fixes residents could see the same season
• Clear, defensible paving plan and budget that improved transparency and trust with taxpayers
• Data-driven scheduling accelerated repairs and improved safety across school, commuter, and neighborhood routes

Problem

Before 2022, Needham relied on sporadic windshield surveys and patchwork records, leaving the town with outdated and inconsistent pavement data. Without trusted information, staff often had to play defense in public meetings, fielding constant “Why not my road?” questions while juggling 311 complaints. This uncertainty kept crews reactive, made it hard to sequence work confidently, and delayed improvements residents were waiting for.

Solution

Needham chose Cyvl to rapidly capture a high-resolution street-level dataset across 125 roadway miles and turn it into actionable intelligence. Using LiDAR and vehicle-mounted sensors, Cyvl surveyed the network and delivered results by July 15, 2022; the Infrastructure Intelligence platform used AI to produce segment-level condition scores, deterioration insights, budget scenarios, and clear maps. With defensible repair priorities and ready-to-use reports, Needham could communicate decisions, schedule work faster, and move from reactive maintenance to a confident, proactive program.

Impact

The fast turnaround turned data into action within weeks, not months, reducing the time between collection and project implementation. With detailed, actionable pavement condition data, Needham built a comprehensive, defensible plan and sequenced repairs residents could see sooner. Better information improved safety, reduced frustration, and showed taxpayers exactly how dollars were being used to deliver visible results.

• 125 roadway miles scanned with LiDAR and sensors, producing segment-level condition scores and repair priorities
• Survey-to-delivery completed by July 15, 2022, allowing work to be scheduled weeks sooner
• Faster pothole and patch response as crews focused on highest-need segments identified by data
• Fewer 311 complaints and smoother town meetings with clear maps, scores, and timelines to explain decisions
• More efficient use of taxpayer dollars through accurate budgeting and right-sizing of maintenance and paving packages
• Budget allocation, public communication, and work scheduling became streamlined with reliable data at hand
• Public works gained confidence to request funding with defensible reports and scenarios that showed community impact