Parking Restrictions at Crossing Locations / Daylighting

Purpose

Improve sightlines between drivers and pedestrians or bicyclists crossing the street.

Description

Signs, pavement markings, curb extensions, planters, or vertical delineators that restrict onstreet parking near a crossing. Parking restrictions help to enhance visibility between all travel modes near driveways and at other crossing locations.

Safety Benefits

• Prevents drivers from parking too close to a crosswalk, giving sufficient space for pedestrians to wait to cross the street.
• Allows drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to see each other without objects/barriers in the way.
• Creates a physical barrier that prevents a driver from parking their car too close to the crosswalk.

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

All street types with on-street parking.

Other Location Guidance

• Applied at crossings, including intersections, driveways, and other mid-block pedestrian crossing locations where parked vehicles may block sightlines.
• Applied at crossings with high pedestrian or bicyclist volumes.

Primary User Groups

Key Implementation Considerations

• The length of parking restrictions at driveways or intersections depends on vehicle speeds, expected crossing road users, and other location-specific engineering factors.
• Roadside obstructions (signal cabinets, trees, etc.) may also be considered for relocation to improve sight distance.
• The type of obstruction has a significant impact on cost and implementation timeline.

Expected Crash Reduction

30% for vehicle-pedestrian crashes (Gan et al. 2005).

Cost

Varies based on treatment type and maintenance costs. For example, planters (which are applicable in some scenarios) require additional installation and maintenance costs.

Timeline

Less than one to three or more years, depending on complexity.

References

• Arlington County Marked Crosswalk Guidelines

• Unsignalized Intersection Improvement Guide