Tactile Warning Accident Prevention

We are well aware that an accident is an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss. Workplaces implement accident prevention programs, safe practices programs, and conduct regular workplace examinations to exercise accident prevention measures.

Have you ever held the hand of a child to prevent him or her from entering an active intersection? Have you ever guided an individual with a cognitive disability throughout town or a parking lot? Why did you guide them or hold their hand? Most likely you simply wanted to prevent an accident or prevent them from being struck by a car. If you are an individual who has yelled at a child or person to prevent them from taking another step for fear the next step would place them in traffic; your yell was intended to provide an immediate stop sign or a warning.

Much like work places have implemented “safe work practice accident prevention programs”, so has the government for children and those with visual or cognitive impairments. I like to think of it as the “tactile warning accident prevention” program. According to the “Best Practices Guide” Part II of II “Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access” issued by the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration; under Chapter 6 “Providing Information to Pedestrians” detectable warnings provide an unmistakable warning (stopping place) to children and those with visual or cognitive disabilities.

Prior to the implementation of curb ramps, the end of a walkway was detected by a drop off of the curb at an intersection. Now that curb ramps, blended transitions and depressed corners exist in our busy environment the curb drop off (warning) has been replaced with detectable warnings or tactile warning. I think of it as the Tactile warning accident prevention program. It is specified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they provide benefits, a real function and I am in favor of it, especially if it prevents accidents.

www.armor-tile.com 

By Ron O’Neill
Engineered Plastics Inc.

Back to Articles