ARMOR TILE

TACTILE SYSTEMS

DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE

What is a detectable warning surface? Where is it used? Why is it used? What makes it detectable?

There was a time when curb ramps where not standard construction practice and during that time the end of a walkway was detected by a drop off at the curb. The curb drop off was the normal warning of a hazard (fast moving vehicles) in a pedestrian path of travel. When curb ramps were implemented as a standard construction practice the “curb drop off” warning was lost, therefore a surface that could be detected and act as a warning was required in its place. According to the US Access Board, truncated domes are the most effective system for providing a distinctive pattern detectable by cane and underfoot.

Detectable warning surfaces are used wherever there is a hazard in the public right-of-way or public path of travel. This would include; transit boarding platforms, curb ramps, blended transitions and hazardous vehicular ways.

A detectable warning surface is used because many members of our society are not able to travel with the aid of vision. If they can’t see speeding vehicles in their path of travel, they will not navigate to effectively avoid an incident or injury. A detectable warning surface warns visually impaired pedestrians and those with cognitive disabilities of hazards in the line of travel, indicating that they should stop and determine the nature of the hazard before proceeding.

There are three features that make them detectable:

1. Distinctive texture that can be detected under foot
2. Loud echo sound upon cane tap or sweep over the surface
3. Color contrast from surrounding surface (an aid to those with cognitive disabilities or those declared legally blind but can still detect shades or color contrasts)

When you have an opportunity to visit www.armor-tile.com view the installation video’s, testimonies, color selection, and free AIA course material. This web site also contains web links to governing web sites that may help you understand more about detectable warning surfaces.

Thank you for your time. I hope this article was of help to you.

Ronald O’Neill
Engineered Plastics Inc.

ENGINEERED PLASTICS INC.
300 International Dr., Suite 100, Williamsville, NY  14221   Tel: 1-800-682-2525    Fax: 1-800-769-4463
www.armor-tile.com

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