Tactile paving

Tactile Paving

Tactile paving (pronunciation: /ˈtæktaɪl ˈpeɪvɪŋ/), also known as detectable warning surfaces, is a system of textured ground surface indicators found on many footpaths, stairs, train station platforms and other public areas. It is used to assist pedestrians who are visually impaired.

Etymology

The term "tactile paving" comes from the Latin word "tactilis", meaning "able to touch", and the English word "paving", which refers to the act or process of laying a pavement. The term was first used in the 1970s when the system was first introduced in Japan.

History

Tactile paving was first developed by Seiichi Miyake in 1965. The first installation was in Okayama city, Japan in 1967 near a school for the blind. Since then, it has been adopted in various forms around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Types of Tactile Paving

There are two types of tactile paving: warning and directional.

• Warning tactile paving is used to warn visually impaired people of hazards, such as road crossings or staircases. It is typically made up of flat-topped domes, arranged in a grid pattern.

• Directional tactile paving is used to guide visually impaired people along a route when the traditional cues, such as a property line or kerb edge, are not available. It is typically made up of parallel rows of flat-topped bars.

Related Terms

• Accessibility
• Visually impaired
• Pedestrian
• Public transport

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Tactile paving
• Wikipedia's article - Tactile paving

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