Intersection daylighting

File:Cycle lane, King Edward's Avenue, Gloucester - geograph.org.uk - 5183844.jpg

Refuge islands can used to prevent parking near intersection

Intersection daylighting, or simply daylighting, is an urban design strategy to enhance safety at intersections by improving visibility.

About 40-60% of pedestrian and cyclist injuries occur at intersections. Daylighting reduces collisions by removing obstructions that prevent drivers from seeing other cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.

The National Association of City Transportation Officials recommends daylighting by preventing cars from parking within 20–25 feet (6.1–7.6 m) of an intersection. If parking is merely disallowed by law or signage, drivers may not always comply, so it is best to replace parking with curb extensions or other physical infrastructure that do not impede visibility, like planters, granite blocks, or bike share stations.

Some jurisdictions, such as New York State (excluding New York City), Pennsylvania, and California disallow parking 20–32 feet (6.1–9.8 m) near all intersections. In such cases, further daylighting typically involves safety improvements that encourage compliance with existing laws against parking near intersections.

See also

• Traffic calming
• Curb extension
• Complete streets
• Vision Zero
• Transportation planning
• Urban design