Who Benefits from Detectable Warning Systems?

Last updated 12 months ago

According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 4,000 pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents every year. Most of these fatalities occur in crosswalks: where pedestrians and motorists meet. In order to protect against these tragic accidents, it is imperative to install detectable warning systems on sidewalks across America. Here are just a few groups of people who stand to benefit from tactile warning systems:

Visually Impaired Individuals
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly four million Americans are visually impaired (i.e. have an eyesight of 20/40 or worse with glasses). Because these individuals cannot visually detect oncoming traffic, some other method of warning must be supplied. The truncated domes of ADA-compliant tactile warning systems can help visually impaired individuals detect the presence of crosswalks with their feet before navigating a potentially hazardous area, like a road. Tactile warning systems are so important to the visually impaired that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires truncated domes on all new curb ramps.
Pedestrians
Though visually impaired pedestrians gain the most from tactile warning systems, truncated domes can benefit all other pedestrians as well. In a time of handheld distractions, physical detection of crosswalks is vital to alerting those on foot of potential dangers. Detectable warning systems not only provide tactile warnings, but are also often brightly colored, making them easily detectable to distracted pedestrians.
Motorists
When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk at the wrong time, a motorist is forced to swerve in order to avoid hitting that pedestrian. Much of the time, this swerving results in considerable damage to the vehicle, driver, or surrounding property. As long as tactile warning systems are in place, motorists need not worry as much about pedestrians crossing at the incorrect time.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of tactile warning systems, contact ADA Solutions, Inc. Our tactile warning systems are made of truncated domes that are resilient and completely ADA compliant. Call us today at (800) 372-0519 if you have any questions.