Saugus, MA

Saugus, MA Infrastructure Assessment

Summary

• 92 roadway miles scanned and scored, with results delivered on May 27, 2022
• Data-driven paving plan built in weeks, accelerating visible street improvements for residents
• Clear budgets and communications that reduce complaints and build public trust

Problem

Saugus managed an aging roadway network with patchy information; outdated or inconsistent data made it hard to know which roads to fix or when and left no accurate paving budgets. With limited time and staff, the town was reactive to complaints and struggled to build defensible paving plans that stood up in public meetings. Leaders risked appearing political when asked "Why not my road?" because they lacked a clear, transparent prioritization method tied to current conditions.

Solution

Saugus chose Cyvl to rapidly survey 92 roadway miles using vehicle-mounted LiDAR and pavement sensors, capturing lane-level distress at traffic speed. Within weeks—by May 27, 2022—the Infrastructure Intelligence platform processed the data with AI to produce block-by-block condition scores, a prioritized, data-backed repair list, and auto-generated maps and reports. The town now had reliable, current pavement data and defensible plans that tied investment to need, enabling faster decisions and immediate scheduling.

Impact

Armed with detailed, actionable pavement condition data for 92 miles, Saugus shifted from reactive patching to a proactive capital program residents can track. Crews sequenced near-term fixes for critical segments and coordinated preservation across the network, compressing the time between survey and construction so improvements showed up sooner on neighborhood streets. Clear maps, scores, and cost scenarios helped leaders defend budgets, coordinate utilities, and communicate exactly why each project was selected.

• Faster pothole response and planned resurfacing reduced vehicle damage and improved safety
• Town meetings run smoother with transparent condition scores and project maps residents understand
• Noticeable drop in 311 calls and emails as timelines and selections are explained with data
• Budget allocation, public communication, and work scheduling are now extremely easy with current data informing every decision
• Data-driven plans helped unlock timely funding approvals and align paving with school, transit, and utility needs