Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Pedestrian safety

Wiki Wednesday: Daylighting, AKA the Pedestrian Peek-A-Boo

Robin Urban Smith's "Daylighting" Streetfilm is on the fast track to blockbuster status, with more than 2,500 views since Monday. She follows up with a StreetsWiki entry about this simple, effective safety measure:

daylighting.jpg

Visibility and eye contact are essential to avoiding conflict at a
crossing, but visual communication between different street users is
greatly impaired when parked cars crowd an intersection (see diagrams
above).

Daylighting clears away this visual obstacle and improves
safety, especially for children, who have difficulty seeing and being
seen at intersections. Daylighting also shortens the crossing distance
at intersections, which reduces pedestrians' exposure to traffic. For
seniors and other street users with longer crossing times, this is
particularly important.

This strikes me as a good opportunity to put StreetsWiki's collaborative power to use. When Robin posted the film, we heard from readers about variations on daylighting -- in the UK and in Queens. It would be great to work that information into this entry and start building a portfolio showing how different cities have implemented the technique.

In related news, on top of Clarence's preferred term, "Pedestrian Peek-a-Boo," we now have a bunch of alternate names for daylighting, including: pedestrian 20/20, exposed crosswalk, curb-sighting, wide-angling, and ped surprise. Got a favorite yet?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The Explainer: What To Know About The MTA’s New Congestion Pricing-Backed Debt

You asked for it, you got it: a 2,000-word explainer on municipal bond sales.

February 5, 2025

Wind in their Sales: Congestion Pricing is No ‘Toll’ on the Broadway Box Office

Despite doom prognostications, congestion pricing has not hurt Broadway's bottom line a bit — and, in fact, may be boasting it.

February 5, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Tin Cup Edition

Road safety wasn't on the agenda for Mayor Adams in Albany on Tuesday. Plus more news.

February 5, 2025

Kirsten Gillibrand Trots Out Bogus FDNY ‘Toxins’ in Quest to Weaken Congestion Pricing

Gillibrand's solution to potential toxins in the subway is more automobile toxins in the air.

February 4, 2025

Memo to Mayor Adams: Reliable Buses Start with You

Congestion pricing’s success and legacy depends on improving bus service. Mayor Adams must act.

February 4, 2025
See all posts