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A Contractors Guide to Tactile Walking Surface Indicators


Contractors are well aware of the importance of installing tactile walking surface indicators in their projects. Tactile indicators play a crucial role in safeguarding the facility from accidents by giving information to pedestrians about nearby hazards. The mandatory tactile indicator must be installed in dangerous locations to alert people, especially those who are visually impaired.

But, before installing tactile walking indicators, contractors must be aware of the code standards and follow proper installation guidelines. The TWSI must comply with the national, regional, and provincial code standards.  Also, tactile indicators must have a code-compliant color contrast with the surroundings. In addition to color compliance, contractors must be aware of the different types of tactile indicators.
Speaking of that, there are two types of tactile indicators, contractors can install in their projects.

Guidance Tactile Walking Surface Indicators:

Another type of tactile indicator contractors can use in their project. Guidance TWSI, consist of a parallel, flat, topped elongated bars that extend in the direction of travel. Some places where contractors can install guidance TWSI include: 
1.     Transit stops
2.     Train stations’
3.     Airports
4.     Sports and stadium
5.     In the door areas of expansive open areas
6.     Subway or light rail transit platforms
Contractors must ensure that the guidance TWSI's installed on the road surfaces must be different and distinguishable from the ground surface and pedestrian area.

Attention Tactile Walking Surface Indicators:

Attention TWSI’s provide safety information to pedestrians.  They play an essential role in identifying potential hazards. Attention TWSI’s consist of circular, flat-topped truncated domes or cones which you can install on the walking surface. As far as the specifications are concerned, TWSI’s must adhere to the following features.
1.     Flat-topped truncated domes must be present in a square grid pattern. Or, they can have a parallel or diagonal pattern with 45 degrees to the main direction of travel.
2.     The height of flat-topped domes or cones should not be more than four to five millimetres.  In the case of the interior environment with smooth surfaces like polished concrete or terrazzo, a minimum height of flat-topped domes should not be more than four millimeters.
3.     The diameter of the flat-topped domes or cones should be between 12-25 mm. And, the diameter of the lower base should be 10 mm more than the diameter of the top. 
According to reliable tactile walking surface indicators suppliers, contractors can use attention TWSI on platforms, ferry docks, and other drop-offs. These are a couple of the walking surface indicators that can come in handy.

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