Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System

 

Parking restrictions at intersections may provide help pedestrians to safely cross the street by providing them with a clearer view of oncoming vehicles. Source: Peter Lagerwey.


Federal Highway Administration. This rendering shows how the design of on-street parking can improve visibility at a midblock crosswalk.
Federal Highway Administration.

 

 

 

Parking Restrictions (at Crossing Locations)

Parking restrictions help improve pedestrian and motorist sightlines through an intersection and can include the removal of parking space markings and/or installation of new “parking prohibition” pavement markings, curb paint, or signage. Removing a parking space on the approach into an intersection may help pedestrians to safely cross the street by providing them with a clearer view of oncoming vehicles. Removing a parking space also frees up roadway space for other uses.

Generally, vehicles should not be parked within at least 20 feet of an intersection and parking restrictions should consider adequate sightlines for motorists and pedestrians to be able to see and react to each other. The minimum setback is 20 feet in advance of the crosswalk where speeds are 25 mph or less, and 30 feet where speeds are between 26 and 35 mph.

However, it may also be important to provide physical roadway measures to prevent motorists from parking on the sidewalk or in areas intended for pedestrians to walk. Curb extensions improve sightlines and shorten the distance pedestrians need to cross a roadway.

Purpose

Sightlines of pedestrians and motorists are limited when vehicles are parked too close to pedestrian crossings, which increases risk for pedestrians who intend to cross the road.

Considerations

• Communicate with community stakeholders about parking space removal.
• Consistently enforce parking restrictions with signage, paint, and pavement markings.
• If curb extensions are out of the budget, vertical delineators can work to prevent motorists from parking vehicles too close to a crosswalk.

Estimated Cost

The cost of this countermeasure varies based on the required signs and pavement markings. Removing the striping of a parking space and/or adding paint is relatively inexpensive. However, the cost can increase substantially ($2,000 to $20,000) if curb extensions are added. Additionally, delineators cost approximately $50 to $100, and parking restriction signs cost approximately $200.

Case Studies

Hoboken, New Jersey
New York City, New York