Documents › Board of Trustees Work Session, 2026-10-14

memo 3 pages

Also attached to this agenda item: 20260709 Old Post Road Michaels Lane Stop Sign Traffic Project Memo

Subject: MEMORANDUM: Establishing Daylighting Standards for Village Intersections and Driveways TO: Village of Croton-on-Hudson Board of Trustees FROM: Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee Chair DATE: 8-Oct-2026 RE: Establishing and Codifying Daylighting Measures for Enhanced Traffic Safety _______________________________________________________________________________ The Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee respectfully urges the Board of Trustees to establish and codify written standards for "daylighting"—the removal of vegetation, parked vehicles, and other obstructions at street corners and driveway exits to ensure clear sightlines for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. What is Daylighting? Daylighting is a proven traffic-calming and safety technique that improves visibility at intersections and driveway exits. It involves maintaining or creating clear sight triangles by removing or trimming vegetation, relocating parked cars, and ensuring that drivers and pedestrians can see each other before entering a roadway. It is a low-cost, high-impact intervention endorsed by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and the Federal Highway Administration. Why Daylighting Matters for Croton Our 2021 Master Plan and subsequent surveys have identified pedestrian and cyclist safety as a paramount concern for residents. Our Complete Streets Policy (adopted 2023-2024) commits the Village to designing and maintaining streets for all users. The village-wide 25 mph speed limit (2023) reinforces our commitment to safe speeds in residential areas. Daylighting is a critical complement to these initiatives. Specific benefits of establishing daylighting standards include: • Sight Triangle Clarity: Unobstructed views at intersections and driveway exits reduce conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists by ensuring all parties see each other before entering or crossing. • Protection of Vulnerable Users: Children, seniors, and people with visual impairments depend on predictable sightlines. Daylighting removes hidden hazards and creates equitable street design. • Reduced Vehicle-Pedestrian Crashes: Research shows that crashes at intersections with poor sightlines are significantly more severe. Clear sightlines allow drivers to spot pedestrians earlier and brake with adequate distance. • Enforcement of Speed Limits: Daylighting reinforces traffic-calming goals by removing the temptation for drivers to cut corners or make surprise turns; drivers expecting clear sight triangles adjust speeds accordingly. • Reduced Liability: The Village demonstrates due diligence by establishing clear standards. Properties with documented sightline violations may expose the municipality to liability if collisions occur. • Simple, Cost-Effective Implementation: Many daylighting improvements require only vegetation trimming or parking relocation—not expensive infrastructure. Costs scale to the Village's budget. • Alignment with Best Practices: Neighboring communities and NYMTC guidance embrace daylighting as a core Complete Streets principle. Recommended Action The Committee recommends that the Board: 1. Direct the Department of Public Works to develop written daylighting standards specifying sight-triangle dimensions at intersections and driveway exits, consistent with state and federal guidelines. 2. Establish a process for identifying and prioritizing locations where daylighting is needed (in coordination with the Committee's existing sidewalk and safety maps). 3. Codify daylighting requirements in the Village Code or as an amendment to the Complete Streets Policy to ensure consistency and durability across administrations. 4. Develop a communication plan to educate residents and property owners about the safety benefits of daylighting and their role in maintaining clear sightlines. 5. Consider daylighting as a standard element in all future road repairs, intersection redesigns, and capital projects. The Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee stands ready to support this effort and to work with the Board, DPW, and community stakeholders to implement daylighting throughout the Village. Matt Arnold Chair, Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee