Daylighting in NYC: A Double-Edged sword for Pedestrian Safety
New York City’s push to improve pedestrian safety through daylighting—a traffic-calming measure that restricts parking near intersections—has hit a surprising snag.A new study by the Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals that while daylighting aims to increase visibility and reduce crashes, it can inadvertently encourage dangerous driving behaviors.
The report, mandated by City Council legislation, found that motorists frequently enough speed up when thay have a clear line of sight at intersections, increasing risks for pedestrians and others on the road. “Visibility is a positive for traffic safety if it allows road users to see each other clearly and use that facts early to avoid a crash. However, increased visibility can also give a driver the sense that all possible risks are known, encouraging faster speeds, reduced caution and less attention to the road,” the report states.
This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that daylighting alone is a panacea for intersection safety. Mayor Eric Adams recently pledged to daylight 1,000 intersections as part of a broader effort to reduce traffic deaths, but the study suggests that more robust measures are needed.
The Case for “Hardened Daylighting”
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The report highlights that hardened daylighting—installing physical barriers like bollards, planters, or large rocks—has proven effective in improving safety. These barriers not only restrict parking but also force drivers to slow down when navigating turns.
“We have a concern that if you just daylight in sort of the lightest touch way by creating a no standing zone at the corner, [it] has the unfortunate effect of widening the turn radius so that people can actually take the turn much faster,” said DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton at a 2023 Council hearing.
Advocates like Ben Furnas, director of the nonprofit Transportation alternatives, agree. “We’ve always said that it’s not just the removal of parking but also the inclusion of some type of physical elements,” Furnas noted.
The Data Behind the Danger
The study analyzed thousands of intersections across the city, comparing injury rates at locations with different types of daylighting measures. The findings were stark:
| Daylighting Measure | Impact on Injury Rates |
|——————————-|———————————-|
| Fire hydrant zones | 30% higher injury rates |
| Signage-only restrictions | No significant safety enhancement |
| Hardened daylighting (bollards, planters) | Effective in reducing injuries |
Intersections with only signage restricting parking showed no “statistically significant” effect on safety, while those with fire hydrant zones saw injury rates spike by 30%.
A City at a Crossroads
Last year,247 people were killed in local traffic—a slight decline from 2023,according to the DOT. Half of all traffic fatalities occur at intersections, making them a critical focus for safety improvements.
When a high-profile crash occurs, daylighting is frequently enough the city’s first response. For example, after an NYPD tow truck driver struck and killed a 7-year-old boy in 2023, the city daylighted the intersection and added large rocks to slow drivers.
Though, the study underscores that daylighting alone is not enough. “This was the first study of its kind that really looked at injuries and how injuries are prevented or not by different quality daylighting,” Beaton said.
The Path Forward
City Councilmember Julie Won, who introduced a bill requiring universal daylighting at all intersections, emphasized the need for a complete approach. “There is no single magic bullet for pedestrian street safety. Daylighting is just one component of a larger comprehensive street infrastructure change to make our roads safe for the moast vulnerable—children and seniors. Daylighting must be supplemented with hardened barriers like planters and boulders,” she said.
As New york City grapples with rising traffic fatalities, the study serves as a reminder that effective safety measures require more than just visibility—they demand physical interventions that compel drivers to slow down and pay attention.
The Adams administration has faced criticism for slow-walking or scaling back high-profile street safety measures, including pledges to install bus and bike lanes.Advocates like Furnas hope the study will spur action rather than deflate ambitions. “If the Adams administration is looking to deflate the ambitions of the street safety community by putting this out, that would be really unfortunate,” he said.For now, the city has a wealth of new data to guide its efforts. The challenge lies in translating these insights into tangible changes that protect pedestrians and make New York’s streets safer for everyone.
Daylighting in NYC: A Double-Edged Sword for Pedestrian Safety
New York City’s push to improve pedestrian safety through daylighting—a traffic-calming measure that restricts parking near intersections—has hit a surprising snag. A new study by the Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals that while daylighting aims to increase visibility and reduce crashes, it can inadvertently encourage perilous driving behaviors.
To unpack the findings and explore potential solutions, Senior Editor of World-Today-News, Sarah Mitchell, sat down with Dr. Emily Carter,a traffic safety expert and urban planner specializing in pedestrian-kind infrastructure.
Daylighting: The Promise and the Pitfalls
Sarah Mitchell: Dr. Carter,the DOT study challenges the conventional wisdom that daylighting alone makes intersections safer. Can you explain why visibility can sometimes lead to riskier behavior?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely. Daylighting,which removes parked cars near intersections,improves visibility,and that’s generally a good thing. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can see each other more clearly, which helps prevent collisions. However, there’s a psychological effect at play here. When drivers feel nothing is obstructing their view, thay may assume the road is entirely clear of risks. This false sense of security can lead to speeding, sharper turns, and less attention to potential hazards.
Sarah Mitchell: So, it’s not that daylighting is inherently bad—it’s how drivers respond to it?
Dr.Carter: Exactly. Daylighting is a tool, not a solution in itself. It has to be paired with other measures to address the behavioral side of the equation.
The Case for “Hardened Daylighting”
Sarah Mitchell: The study advocates for hardened daylighting, which uses physical barriers like bollards or planters. Why are these more effective?
Dr. Carter: Physical barriers serve two critical purposes. First, they prevent parking encroachments, maintaining visibility. Second, and more importantly, they force drivers to slow down. Instead of making wide, fast turns, drivers must navigate around these obstacles, which naturally reduces speed. It’s a psychological nudge that changes driving behavior without relying solely on enforcement.
Sarah Mitchell: DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton mentioned that signage-only daylighting can actually widen turn radii, encouraging faster turns. Does that make signage less effective?
Dr. Carter: Yes, signage alone is insufficient. Without physical barriers, drivers often ignore no-standing zones, and even when they don’t, the open space allows for wider, faster turns. Hardened daylighting addresses this by physically restricting the space, making it unachievable to speed through turns.
the Data behind the Danger
Sarah Mitchell: The study found that intersections with fire hydrant zones had 30% higher injury rates. Why is that the case?
Dr. Carter: Fire hydrant zones create a no-parking area, but they don’t provide any physical barriers. this can lead to a false sense of security for drivers,who may speed up or make sharper turns. Additionally, pedestrians might assume these zones are safer and be less cautious, increasing the risk of collisions.
Sarah Mitchell: What about intersections with signage-only restrictions?
Dr.Carter: The data showed no meaningful safety improvement. This underscores the need for tangible, physical interventions rather than relying on drivers to self-regulate.
A City at a Crossroads
Sarah Mitchell: Last year, 247 people were killed in traffic accidents in NYC, half of which occurred at intersections. How critical is it to address intersection safety?
Dr. Carter: It’s absolutely critical.Intersections are conflict points where multiple road users converge—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Even small improvements can have a profound impact on reducing injuries and fatalities.
The Path Forward
Sarah Mitchell: city Councilmember Julie Won has proposed a bill requiring worldwide daylighting at all intersections. What would that entail, and is it practical?
Dr. Carter: universal daylighting is a strong step,but it needs to be implemented thoughtfully. it can’t just be about removing parking; it must include barriers like planters or bollards to slow traffic. Additionally, we need to consider the context of each intersection.A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work.
Sarah Mitchell: what other measures should NYC consider to complement daylighting?
dr. Carter: Reducing speed limits, enhancing crosswalk visibility, and implementing automated enforcement like speed cameras are all important. But the key is designing streets that naturally encourage safer behavior. Think narrower lanes, raised crosswalks, and more greenery.
A Final Thought
Sarah Mitchell: The Adams governance has faced criticism for scaling back some street safety initiatives. What’s your take on the political will to implement these changes?
Dr. Carter: Traffic safety is often a balancing act between competing interests—drivers, businesses, and residents. But the data is clear: we need bold, comprehensive changes to save lives. I hope this study serves as a wake-up call to prioritize safety over convenience.
Sarah Mitchell: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that daylighting is just one piece of the puzzle, and a holistic approach is essential to making NYC’s streets safer for everyone.
dr. Emily Carter is a traffic safety expert and urban planner with over 15 years of experience designing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in cities across the U.S.
