TACTILE SURFACES IN THE PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT: EXPERIMENTS IN WOLVERHAMPTON

The research in this study had the following goals: (1) To establish if the selected surfaces were useful to visually impaired people in a real pedestrian environment and what were the most appropriate layouts for each type of surface; (2) To examine the extent to which tactile surfaces might cause problems to other groups of footway users, particularly wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people; and (3) To ascertain the view of the general public regarding the various tactile surfaces. Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council installed tactile surfaces at four town centre sites and CENTRO West Midlands and British Rail gave permission for a surface at Coseley Railway Station. The surfaces tested comprised: (1) rubber dot tile, based on the Pathfinder tile - warning of platform edge; (2) modified Dtp blistered paving - warning of uncontrolled road crossing with dropped curb; (3) concrete corduroy pattern paving slab - warning of steps; (4) 18mm Latex compound -information (e.g. indication of bus stop); and (5) concrete bar pattern paving slab - guidance across pedestrianized area. The findings show the problem faced by authorities who install tactile surfaces, of ensuring that pattern profiles are in accordance with recommended specifications. Various patterns were either too low or too high above the pavement surface. It is also concluded that tactile surfaces should be brightly colored and/or contrast strongly against the surrounding area if they are to be of particular help to those with residual vision.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • GALLON, C
• Publication Date: 1992-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Pedestrian malls; Persons with disabilities; Physical disabilities; Tactile perception; Texture; Visually impaired persons; Walkways; Wheelchairs
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Raised pavements
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00626045
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 317
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 24 1993 12:00AM