- Tactile Indicators
- 27, 09, 2021
Improving sidewalks by installing tactile Indicator to make cities accessible for visually impaired people
Are your Pedestrian Crossings legitimate for People with Low Vision?
Consider your regular commute. How many road signs do you pass on your way to work? On sidewalks or highways, or in a train, metro, or bus station, how many crossroads or staircases do you navigate? How many people have crossed your route, forcing you to abruptly change direction? Consider how much more difficult your day would be if you were partially or completely blind.
And no, this is not a spot problem. In 2015, there were an estimated 253 million people with visual impairment worldwide. Of these, 36 million were blind and a further 217 million had mild to severe visual impairment (MSVI). For these people, navigating busy urban landscapes can be extremely challenging.
Every step is difficult for the one who has lost his sight. This is very true in today’s urban environments where more and more sorts of transportation methods coexist. Visually impaired people can do nothing except trusting their other working senses like hearing and touch. Yet, they still have to believe in some clear indicators. This is where following road and public space accessibility regulations are sensible.
People with vision loss are becoming more self-sufficient as time goes on. They are out in the community, navigating alongside persons with normal vision using their existing eyesight, as well as technology and assistive equipment. Making public areas easier to navigate for those with visual difficulties is a top priority for those responsible for their design and construction.
To fulfill the wants of all sidewalk users, designers must have a transparent understanding of the wide selection of abilities that occur within the population. Sidewalks, like roads and crossings, should be designed to serve all users. This includes kids, senior citizens, parents with strollers, blind pedestrians, and other people using wheelchairs and other guidance devices. Just as a roadway won’t be designed for one kind of vehicle, the design of sidewalks shouldn’t be limited to just one kind of pedestrian user.
Tactile Paving installation on sidewalk.Because the sidewalk is the core element of movement within our overall system of transportation, every route and facility must be usable.
For visually challenged people, navigating the outdoors is a significant problem. The outdoors, unlike their own homes, where they have control over the environment, are full of challenges and ever-changing threats. In urban areas around the world, an overemphasis on shared spaces, such as streets with no obvious borders that are shared by automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists, has heightened this challenge and risk for those with vision issues. Fortunately, the directional and warning tactile allows people with impaired vision to take part in their communities and enjoy the outdoors.
Measures that optimize the positioning and comfort of those who are blind or visually impaired:
Detectable Warning Surfaces: It reminds people when they encounter the edges of sidewalks or steps, and it’s extremely advantageous at lowered thresholds when the sidewalk grade matches the street grade.
Tactile Indicators: Tactile Indicators are elevated studs or bars made of various materials that are embedded in the ground. Individual units, mushroom-shaped studs drilled and placed into the ground, or mats adhered to the ground’s surface are all options.
Tactile indicators come in a range of sizes and shapes. Here are several common forms:
- Warning Tactiles
- Directional Tactiles
- Integrated Tactiles
- Civic Road Studs
- Civic Edge Protectors
- Civic Anti-skate Studs
Warning tactile indicators, also identified as ‘hazard tactiles’ or ‘decision tackles,’ consist of a raised grid pattern of studs to notify the visually impaired person of inherent risks. The fundamental objective of tactile warning indicators is to encourage visually impaired walkers to carefully consider their course of travel before proceeding on, ensuring that they avoid any potentially hazardous circumstances. Tactile warning surfaces may not provide clues about the threat.
Directional Tactile Indicators, also defined as Leading Tactiles, are a set of elevated bars positioned on the walking surface that are oriented in the same direction as the required travel direction. Blind and partially sighted persons can use directional tactile indicators to navigate around common urban objects such as fence posts and garbage cans, as well as guide commuters to designated spots.
The significant difference between a warning and a tactile indication is that a warning studs will notify you what sort of danger you’re in ahead, whereas tactile directional surfaces may not.
Likewise, many pedestrian crossings aren’t marked out by white or yellow stripes but by more subtle elements like studs or cobblestones.
Outdoor walkways can be incredibly hazardous for those with eyesight problems because they are often positioned near traffic, which can be a significant threat. Here are several insider tips to make traveling outdoor walkways more thrilling:
- Use textures at crosswalks, crossings, and transitional spaces as a wayfinding indicator.
- Assess placing tactile indications on the ground.
- Mark outdoor spaces with bollards.
- Crosswalks that are uneven should be managed to avoid.
- Set up the tactile paving blocks along the walking path to isolate the area where trees will grow.
- Expand the number of curb cutouts at crossroads.
If you’re wondering about what type of indication to use in your facility, you’ve reached the right place as we offer a complete service, from planning to installing indicators in the proper location. We at Eminent Tactiles are one of India’s most trusted and well-known manufacturers, suppliers and exporters of Tactile Products.
Become a part of the movement for a safe pedestrian environment and help us save hundreds of lives. Investing in metropolitan area security is about saving lives and creating a world where everyone, regardless of disabilities or age, can find their place.
Come on, let’s design tomorrow’s community visually pleasing!
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