Why is "Safety Yellow" the Best Color for Tactile Warning Systems?
The Americans with Disabilities Act enforces a number of guidelines regarding the usage, placement, and design of detectable warning systems that feature truncated domes. For example, detectable warning systems should extend 24 inches in the direction of travel and extend the full width of the curb, ramp, or adjacent surface. Similarly, the Americans with Disabilities Act has a number of guidelines regarding the size, spacing, alignment, and color of tactile warning systems. Read on to learn why “Safety Yellow” is considered the best color for detectable warning systems and truncated domes.
The ADA requires that there be a minimum of 70% contrast in light reflectance between an adjoining surface and the tactile warning system so that visually impaired individuals have an easier time detecting potential hazards in their line of travel. While detectable warning systems come in a variety of colors—including but not limited to Clay-Red, Brick-Red, Black, Gray, and Blue—Safety Yellow has been designated as the ideal color. This is because Safety Yellow has been shown effective in light contrasts as low as 40%, making them easier to see by pedestrians with low visual capacity. Studies by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration also show that partially sighted individuals have an easier time seeing yellow and white colors at further distances. For this reason, Safety Yellow is often used as the standard color for all tactile warning systems in pedestrian and highway environments as it provides the necessary contrast.
At ADA Solutions, Inc., we offer a number of products to help your business be ADA compliant, including radius tactile systems, replaceable wet-sets, and replaceable stainless steel detectable warning systems. Get the truncated domes and ADA warning strips you need by contacting us at (800) 372-0519. You can also check us out online to browse our online showroom.
- Loading comments...
