Understanding Tactile Ground Surface Indicator’s

At ESP, we have made it a goal of ours to provide safety products that deliver long term value for all users.  Our industry leading range of Access® Tile Tactile Ground Surface Indicator’s are the result of extensive testing and development, premium compounds and materials, real construction ‘know-how’ and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Supporting Australian Councils, Civil Contractors, Education departments and Building professionals we aim to improve accessibility in the built environment for all users.

Below is a quick guide to help understand Tactile Ground Surface Indicator’s and their applications.

What are Tactile Ground Surface Indicators?

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators are truncated cones and/or bars installed on the ground or floor surface to provide cues, which, when combined with other environmental information, guide and assist people who are blind or vision-impaired with warning or directional orientation information.

Category Types Available

Warning – Also known as ‘Hazard’ Tactile Ground Surface Indicator’s, are truncated domes designed to warn a pedestrian of a hazard ahead, such as:

• At a kerb ramp to warn where the footpath ends and the road crossing point begins.
• At a ramp or ramp landing to warn of the change in grade.
• At steps, stairs, escalators and at a change in direction on the footpath which includes directional Tactile Ground Surface Indicators.

Directional – A series of raised bars aligned to advise pedestrians of the direction of travel to a facility or point of service. They are installed:

• To give directional orientation to crossing points at intersections where the footpath width is greater than 3m distance measured from the property boundary to the top of the kerb ramp.
• To give directional orientation to kerb ramp crossing points within a raised traffic island.
• To give directional orientation across an open area.
• To give directional orientation to alert pedestrians of mid-block crossing points and at bus stops or tram/light rail stops.

Directional TGSI’s are installed either:

• With a single row of tiles (i.e 300mm wide) in the direction of travel between a “change of direction” plate and the top of a kerb ramp leading to a crossing point at an intersection or traffic island.
  
  
• With 2 rows of tiles (i.e. 600mm wide) across a continuing footway to alert people following the building line of a change of direction to a mid-block crossing point, bus stop or tram / rail stop. Note: The width of the TGSI’s ensures that the indicators will be detected as the typical width of a person’s step is generally less than 600mm.
  
  

ESP’s Surface Applied Access® Tile

ESP’s Surface Applied Access® Tile can be mechanically and chemically secured to any stable surface. They are fast to install, simple to retrofit and withstand the toughest pedestrian use.

WARNING / HAZARD

300x600mm (White, Yellow & Black)

600x1200mm (White, Yellow & Black)

DIRECTIONAL

300x600mm (White, Yellow & Black)

ESP’s Cast In Place Access® Tile

ESP’s Cast In Place Access® Tile is applied during the curing of wet concrete. When the concrete becomes cured, the ESP Access® Tile is mechanically fixed to the finished substrate and is immediately trafficable.

WARNING / HAZARD

300x600mm (White, Yellow & Black)

600x1200mm (White, Yellow & Black)

DIRECTIONAL

300x600mm (White, Yellow & Black)  

Application of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators – Where must they be used?

According to Australian & New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1428.4.1:2009 Design for Access and Mobility Part 4.1 – Means to Assist the orientation of people with vision impairment – TGSI’s, TGSI’s should be used as a ‘minimum’ in the following situations:

• Stairs & Stair Landings
• Escalators & Travellators
• Pedestrian Ramps
• Overhead Hazards (Including potential obstructions wall protruding fixtures)
• Carriageways without kerbs (I.e. that intersect at the same grade)
• Railway, Tramway and light rail pedestrian – (Waiting platforms and level crossings)
• Waterbodies – (Wharves, lakes and ponds accessible by pedestrians)

Luminance Contrast (TGSI’s)

Luminance Reflectance Value (LRV) is a measurement of the amount of light reflected from a surface. To comply with Australian Standards, TGSI installations must achieve a minimum Luminance Contrast between the TGSI and the surrounding substrate.

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators must achieve the following contrasts:

• 30% – Integrated Tiles (Such as ESP’s Access® Tile)
• 45% – Discreet (Individual TGSI’s)
• 60% – Composite Discreet (Individual TGSI’s usually with a different colour insert)

Now offering in-house testing, Contact Us today for LRV requirements to ensure your project meets Australian Code & Compliance.