Tactile Pavement Placing

[simonhill]

I ask this here as the forum is the font of all knowledge for anything to do with roadways etc .

I presume there are standards for how and where tactile paving is used.

Let me say, I'm all in favour of it.

The lengthwise strip is usually laid right in the middle of the pavement. This divides the payment into three often giving inadequate space either side of the strip to walk comfortably and you end up with one foot constantly on the tactile which isn't very comfortable.

It always strikes me that it would be far more sensible to split it half and half. Is there a reason? Is it legal aesthetic or just what happens.

[mjr]

There are no standards that must be met, or at least not in one simple document, but some might exist in various court rulings.

Most of what there is, is guidance with examples, and the inappropriate longitudinal strip placement may arise from thoughtless copying of an example layout and applying it to a compromised pavement too narrow for it.

[Bmblbzzz]

Are you talking about the bobbles that indicate a crossing? Or the "corduroy" dividing shared pavements into walking and cycling areas? Or a different sort of tactile paving? Without a photo or more description I'm having difficulty visualising what you're referring to.

[emleyman]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... rfaces.pdf

[simonhill]

OK thanks. A clear easy to read 82 page leaflet.

I am talking about Corduroy hazard warning surface, used for a guidance lane. Section 6 of leaflet.

This town has relaid it's pavements and incorporated a 'guidance' lane along the entire length of all of them.

Basically a raised yellow central strip on all pavements.

If I've got it right, this is not in accordance with the UK guidance.

This isn't the UK and I've seen the corduroy surface used in this way before as a central strip in other countries. I think the local authorities thinks this is helping less able/ visually impaired people. No idea, but it's certainly overkill.

I'll get a couple of photos tomorrow, it's dark now.

Thanks for contributions.

[Bmblbzzz]

I think in the UK this is usually done with a raised line of white paint. But if you're not in UK, then UK guidance and practice will be of limited relevance!

[mjr]

What country are you in, caller?

[simonhill]

Thailand.

I seem to remember something similar in Japan. There they like you to cycle on the pavement/footway and I remember the ridges being a pain.

I think the guidance is still useful. It shows the point of different surfaces and how to use. If you just lay everywhere like here, it's a bit pointless.

Before this, I didn't know the differences they convey, so one person has learnt something. From my OP you can see I thought they were using them correctly.

[Bmblbzzz]

They might well be using them correctly according to Thai rules.

[Ferrij]

So which side do dog owners walk their pets on then….. of course, both, silly me!!

[simonhill]

According to a bit more research, it seems that Thailand generally follows the rules of Japan. That would have these longitudinal strips going from important administrative, health, social, cultural, etc. building to building as the way for people to navigate between them.

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However, in this town every sidewalk has got them. You could argue that every path goes somewhere as and is important. Unfortunately on the narrow paths it makes walking a bit lumpy.

Anyway, I've had more than enough .of tactile paving for now. God article on wiki for the interested.

Here's a few photographs of what it's like here in Satun in far Southwest Thailand.

[VinceLedge]

That looks completely pointless.

[Bmblbzzz]

Presumably the point is that cane-using blind people can follow it. It certainly doesn't look as if it's dividing the pavement into pedestrian and cyclist areas.

[simonhill]

Very few cyclists here, certainly not a consideration.

A lot of the point of tactile is that you can feel it with your feet. It's meant to act as a warning - edge, road, step, etc