As there is an increase in people with impairments, public areas must provide proper access to them. A detectable warning surface can aid travellers in locating themselves and navigating the road’s conditions. For instance, it can enable individuals to identify the location of approaching cars and the boundary of a crosswalk.
These surfaces can reduce the possibility of accidents happening and injury claims being made. These are tiny, elevated, colour-contrasting strips of bands on pedestrian ramps at the transition point when there is a crossover, road crossing, or significant change in elevation like an escalator or platform drop-off.
In 1991The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated the use of detectable surfaces that are visible to pedestrians in all public spaces. The detectable warning surfaces are intended to notify of changes in the surrounding and surface conditions while visually impaired and blind pedestrians cross the street. This makes it easier once the bumps are felt underfoot or seen when a walking stick passes over them.
OLEJAR is a Slovak manufacturer established in 2005. They were known for selling fiberglass products, but since 2008 they will also start selling tactile systems made in Slovakia. They are made of UV-stable polyurethane with studs in the form of a dome or truncated cone. The individual surface patterns of the warning plates achieve a coefficient of friction of R10, R11, or R12, meeting the specifications for anti-slip qualities.
Mistakes to Avoid while Installing Detectable Surface
Detectable warning tiles increase safety and accessibility when installed and used properly. However, some common errors might make using these surfaces risky.
Installing Too Many or Less
Large or very varied tiles will make it difficult to determine which way to move. Users can be directed to harmful areas by this. Many tiles also indicate a larger area with uneven surfaces, which causes issues for pedestrians and individuals using wheelchairs or walkers. On the other hand, a user won’t receive the necessary warning if there are too few tiles, which increases the chance of harm or hazard.
According to ADA, a minimum of 610 mm of extension should be added to the warning tiles in the direction of travel.
Installed at the Wrong Place
Installing ADA tiles incorrectly or without following the correct procedures could be hazardous. Installing ADA tiles on stair landings serves as a non-visual indicator for visually impaired people to know where the beginning and end of stairways are.
Additionally, installing detectable warning plates on medians could be risky since it could signal to people who are blind that they have reached the other side of the pedestrian crossing. Considering local and federal building codes guarantees that detectable warning tiles are installed in the locations that can benefit the visually impaired in the best way.
Obstruction Due to Domes
Truncated domes put too close together make it difficult for wheelchairs, strollers, and other quality aids to move across the surface. Truncated domes that protrude too high from the floor will create a tripping hazard. Also, short, truncated domes lack a significant tactile warning. The scale and spacing of truncated domes must adhere to precise guidelines set forth by the ADA to allow for the safe passage of people over the detectable warning surface.
The only way to avoid some mistakes is by following the ADA guidelines. A well-planned detectable walking surface installation can help several visually impaired people in a safe walk.
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