How Footpaths Are Designed Using Cast Iron Detectable Warning Plates?
The cast iron detectable warning plates you see on footpaths are touch signs for visually impaired pedestrians and those who stay glued to their mobiles while walking. These tiles are broader, thicker, and stronger than their regular counterparts.
What is the idea behind using warning tiles?
The idea is to prevent visually impaired pedestrians from meeting slip and fall accidents. Set at strategic places, these pieces warn pedestrians as soon as they step on the warning plates. These plates are so designed that they feel different. You can feel the difference between detectable tiles and others once you stand on a detectable plate.
How are detectable tiles manufactured?
Cast iron detectable warning plates are designed with iron pieces. They have iron in them that makes them different from others. They are made thicker and broader than the regular plates. Also, they are slightly higher than others. So, when you step on a detectable tile, you feel like standing at a height. It is where you become alert about your position. You find your way and step back.
How detectable plates are placed?
As said earlier, they are placed at strategic places where pedestrians usually slow down. Normal people with good sight-visibility can see maintain their speed according to the footpath design but visually impaired pedestrians can’t see the footpath. They use walking sticks to sense variations like slopes, stairs, and bridges.
Cast iron detectable warning plates become eyes of visually impaired pedestrians. As soon as a pedestrian steps on a detectable tile, they understand that they need to stop and check what lays ahead. They could be at the corner of footpath and could fall on the motor road in the next step. Similarly, they could slip on stairs if they don’t stop before the stairs.
Some
uses of detectable tiles
1. Corners
On footpath, the corners are designed with warning plates so the visually impaired people remain safe. As soon as they step on warning tiles, they will step back on the footpath. In this way, they can maintain their speed in the right direction.
2. Slope
Footpaths have slopes or stairs on both sides so pedestrians can get on and out of footpaths. But visually impaired people need warning signs to know from where they can step on or exit footpaths. Slopes are designed with cast iron detectable warning plates so pedestrians remain careful while walking on the slopes.
3. Stairs
Pedestrians need to be careful before using stairs. Visually impaired people become alert on stepping on warning tiles. They can check the stairs with their sticks and take cautious steps on the stairs. Similarly, they can exit the stairs. The warning tiles will signal them that are exiting the stairs and they can maintain their normal speed.
4. Entrance
Offices, shopping complexes, and residential buildings have cast iron detectable warning plates on their entrances. These tiles help pedestrians understand that they are near an entrance and they can move ahead safely. Similarly, detectable tiles are used for designing reception areas to make it convenient for visually impaired pedestrians to access points of interests.
Comments
Post a Comment