Did you ever observe a few little domes or certain rounded points, or slightly raised bars available on the surface of the ground, while crossing the street? These are known as tactile indicators. This tactile paving can always be felt underfoot while walking through them or while walking with a cane.
You can often find these aluminium guiding strips on railway station platforms or stairs so that they may help pedestrians for walking safely particularly for those people who have certain vision issues. There are many well-known Slovakian companies who have started manufacturing such tactile strips and floor indicators.
Such tactile warnings are going to offer a very distinctive kind of surface pattern that has truncated cones, bars, or domes, which can be easily detected by our underfoot. Generally, people who are blind use a long cane, while walking and these surfaces can alert them too.
The first time this kind of system known as the tactile paving system was instituted in Japan, in those places where there are any pedestrian crossings or certain hazardous road situations. After that a few more countries e.g., the UK, USA, and Australia also made this their standard during the 1990s.
The following are a few different types of this indicators available.
- Concrete tactile indicators
This type of indicator is composed of concrete to resist the harshest weather conditions and also provide pedestrians with certain non-slip surfaces. Each bar has 2 layers that can be produced independently and welded together.
Their outer layer may contain an aggregate chip for providing strength and flexibility, while its top layer will be designed with the materials for providing vibrant colour and can preserve the coat from any UV damage.
- Stainless steel tactile indicators
Often tactile indicators are made by using this material, as it has a very high resilience and resistance level against wear and tear. Also, under very adverse climatic conditions, marine-grade stainless steel tactile Indicators can serve people with particular requirements for a much longer duration.
They are available in directional tactile forms and hazard and while the functions will be identical. Under good lights, it can easily be distinguished between the two.
- Polyurethane tactile indicators
They are basically meant for providing information about both movements of indoor and outdoor to any visually impaired persons. It is made with certain high-quality polyurethane beads. It is going to feature overall sizes of 300x300mm and this kind of tactile surface can meet the current national as well as international requirements.
- Aluminium tactile
Aluminium-made route markers are self-adhesive strips, with black and white grainy, non-slip surfaces. They are installed on the floor either by taping or bonding them.
The contrast strips are made from aluminium that is covered with double coated paint and also lacquer that contains crushed glass. On the underside of these strips, an adhesive coating is given that is bonded to the profile recess.
Now, most of the countries of the world have started erecting these tactile indicators in their public places.
