Tactile Paving

A system of textured ground surface indicators installed on footpaths, train platforms, and building floors to assist pedestrians who are blind or have low vision with navigation and hazard detection. Tactile paving typically uses two patterns: raised dots (truncated domes) to warn of hazards such as platform edges, stairs, or road crossings, and elongated bars to indicate the direction of travel along a safe path. Originally developed in Japan in 1965, tactile paving is now mandated in many countries' building codes and transit standards. In indoor navigation systems, the presence of tactile paving is used as a landmark that can be communicated to users to confirm their location and orientation.