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Pedestrian Infrastructure

Streetfilms: Introducing the Pedestrian Peek-a-Boo

11:26 AM EST on January 12, 2009

This excellent Streetfilm from Robin Urban Smith and Clarence Eckerson is another in a series of vids on cheap and effective streetscape alterations that improve safety for all users. Writes Robin: 

Daylighting is a simple pedestrian safetymeasure achieved by removing parking spaces adjacent to curbsaround an intersection, increasing visibility for pedestrians and drivers andminimizing conflicts. It's beneficial to young and old, but is especially helpful to children, who often cannot see, or be seen by, oncoming traffic. By removing parking adjacent to the crosswalk, thechild does not have to wade into the street to see vehicles entering the intersection.At the same time, drivers don't have to roll into the crosswalkto see if pedestrians are waiting to cross.

As you'll see, daylighting is popular with pedestrians across the city (along with at least one driver). And DOT is on the case, replacing parking at some intersections with curbing, which can then support greenery, extra sidewalk space, or bike racks. Of course, there are thousands of streets that could use the same treatment.

Finally, the Streetfilms crew thinks the term "daylighting" is "a little stale," and asks viewers to come up with their own terms. Clarence suggests "Pedestrian Peek-a-Boo." If you can top that one, have at it.

Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

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