3 Places to Use Tactile Paving Around Your Business

Last updated 1 year ago

There are several guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that apply to businesses. Included in those guidelines are requirements for detectable warnings. Tactile paving with truncated domes is the ideal detectable warning system because it makes a unique sound when struck with a cane and has a noticeable pattern when stepped upon. As a business owner, there are several areas where you should install tactile warnings.

Parking Lots: It is necessary to install detectable warnings in areas where walking paths do not have curbs or railings to separate them from an area of motor vehicle traffic. The most common area for this type of transition is in the parking lot of your business. A tactile warning signal that is 36 inches wide should be installed along the entire boundary between the pedestrian and vehicular areas.
Sidewalks: It is necessary to equip sidewalks with ramps that allow those in wheelchairs, as well as individuals pushing walkers or strollers, to easily access the sidewalk. However, curb ramps can make it difficult for those with impaired vision to sense the end of the walking path. Tactile paving on curb ramps is a signal to those who are visually impaired that they are walking on a ramp and exiting the pedestrian walkway, preventing falls and traffic accidents.
Transportation Platforms: If your business is a transportation facility, there are additional areas where you must use detectable warnings. Tactile paving that is 24 inches wide should be installed along the entire length of platform edges that are not protected by railings. The detectable warning should be placed at the edge of the designated pedestrian boundary or where vehicle paths can overlap with the platform.

At ADA Solutions, Inc., we provide several types of tactile paving to help your company remain ADA compliant. To learn more about ADA’s guidelines for detectable warnings, call us today at (800) 372-0519.