Buffalo to take data-driven approach to roadway repairs

The City of Buffalo has announced a data-driven approach to how streets will be evaluated and prioritised in future years.

The announcement forms part of the City’s broader focus on “fixing the basics” by investing in core city services and improving the systems that support them. As part of this, mayor Sean Ryan also announced the City of Buffalo’s 2026 paving list.

Advanced lidar technology

The City will shift toward “a needs-based paving model” that uses real-time roadway data to guide future investments.

As part of the announcement, the City introduced a partnership with Cyvl, a company that uses advanced lidar technology to assess roadway conditions. A demonstration vehicle equipped with the technology was showcased as part of the announcement, highlighting how Buffalo will begin collecting detailed, objective data on street conditions to inform future paving decisions for municipalities.

“By using technology and focusing on need, we can make smarter investments, stretch taxpayer dollars further, and deliver better results for residents”

The data collected through this partnership will help the City more effectively carry out a needs-based system, with plans to utilise the data collected by Cyvl for the 2027 paving list and beyond. This data will also allow the City to update its ADA transition plan for the first time in 12 years, improving overall accessibility and ensuring public infrastructure better serves all residents.

“This investment is part of a larger emphasis we are putting on prioritising areas of need and doing the work the right way the first time,” said Ryan. “For too long, residents have been left with streets in poor condition that went unaddressed. By using technology and focusing on need, we can make smarter investments, stretch taxpayer dollars further, and deliver better results for residents.”