Tactile ground surface indicators help people with low vision detect their location, the dangers in their immediate surroundings, and the direction they need to move in.

Tactile indicators are typically used at bus stops, airports, rail station platforms, before exterior obstructions and around roadways. As a result, they should be placed in the right locations to assist the visually impaired in navigating their surroundings.

Let’s find out more about these useful indicators.

Choosing the suitable steel tactile indicator

With so many steel tactile indicators on the market, it's critical to know the benefits and drawbacks of each before making a final pick. Colour fading, cracking, peeling, and other concerns are associated with poor quality.

Tactile indicators must also survive challenging environments such as regular foot traffic, heavy loads, UV levels, and natural factors such as wind and rain.

Let’s dive into some of these important factors.

Replaceability

As much as we’d like tactile indicators to last forever, they do deteriorate over time. Consequently, it’s a good idea to pick indicators that can easily be replaced without costly tools. It’s also a good idea to make sure you can find the same quality and style that you used previously.

Slip resistance

Steel tactile indicators are used in busy areas; hence, they must provide the appropriate level of slip resistance. So to avoid potential injuries and the resulting lawsuits, choose tactile indicators that have undergone slip testing under various conditions.

Luminance standards

All tactile indicators need to pass luminance testing standards. This testing compares the luminance of two surfaces. In this case, it measures the difference between the light reflected by the steel tactile indicators and the base surface. As per the standards, the contrast needs to be a minimum of 45%.

Types of tactile indicators

Steel tactile indicators are divided into directional tactiles and warning tactile.

Here’s how they differ:

• Directional steel tactile indicators: They are frequently used in public transportation locations and at street crossings to guide visually impaired people along a safe path.
• Warning steel tactile indicators: They are used to protect the visually impaired from dangerous obstructions.

Improve safety with steel tactile indicators

Always choose tactile indicators that meet Australian Standards. These standards guarantee a high-quality product that won’t cause issues later down the track.

Floorsafe has Australia's most outstanding selection of high-quality steel tactile indicators at the most competitive pricing. We ensure that you will receive honest, up-front advice about your project.

Stainless steel, PVC, Brass, Polyurethane, and PVD black tactiles are all in stock and ready to ship right away. You can contact our knowledgeable Floorsafe staff for assistance with Australian Standards, quantity requirements, or samples.