Have you noticed the white flex posts at intersections? These are part of the daylighting, one of the Vision Zero safety measures meant to increase visibility for drivers and pedestrians by removing curb parking spaces. The concept of daylighting began to gain traction in urban planning discussions, particularly in the United States in the 1970s.
Since 2010, organizations like the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) in the United States have been developing guidelines for implementing daylighting as part of broader traffic safety initiatives, and recommended to clear 20 to 25 feet around a crosswalk. Improved visibility allows drivers to slow their vehicle, as well as provide pedestrians with more time to cross the street. In addition, removed parking spots give more space for all users of the road to move safely.
Decades of daylighting practices across the country have led to the establishment of various laws in different states and cities. In October 2023, California enacted AB-413, making daylighting a statewide requirement effective January 1, 2025. To comply with this law, San Francisco aims to daylight all its intersections by the end of 2026. This effort will be implemented in three phases, beginning with 925 intersections on the High Injury Network, followed by all intersections within a 600-foot radius of schools, and concluding with all remaining city crosswalks.
In 2023, New York City, which had previously been exempt from the statewide law against parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, passed Local Law 66, mandating daylighting at a minimum of 100 intersections annually starting January 1, 2025. Additionally, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has reported securing general funds for 2025-2026 to clear 200 intersections throughout the city.
There are various ways to implement effective daylighting solutions. Besides the flex post installation, a community can install curb extensions with an expansion of existing sidewalks or planting vegetation. NACTO recommends locating street trees at a 5-foot minimum from the intersection, 3 feet from the curb return and 5 feet from the nearest stop sign. Spraying the surface with distinctive markings can also be used to prevent cars from parking at intersections. The costs associated with quick-build street redesign methods can vary. Educating the community around daylighting is also beneficial, and in Washington DC, new curb extensions come with a sticker saying “This area helps save lives.”
Does daylighting work? In San Francisco, from 2022 to 2023, daylighting among other pedestrian safety tools has contributed to a 13% decrease in the number of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles and 32% decrease in close calls or near misses. And according to 2025 Daylighting and Street Safety Analysis from New York City, pedestrian islands and curb and sidewalk extensions are associated with 36% and 34% declines in fatalities and severe injuries accordingly. This report recommends daylighting as part of other robust treatments, such as traffic calming and improved signage, as it has the highest proven safety benefits for vulnerable road users.
These examples show that simple adjustments of opening up spaces can make it easier for everyone to see each other and navigate intersections safely.