AS 1428.

4—1992

Australian StandardR

Design for access and mobility

Part 4: Tactile ground surface

indicators for the orientation of
people with vision impairment
This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee ME/64, Access for People with
Disabilities. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on
20 December 1991 and published on 16 April 1992.

The following interests are represented on Committee ME/64:

Access Australia
ACROD
Australian Chamber of Manufactures
Australian Council on the Ageing
Australian National Council of and for the Blind
Australian Uniform Building Regulations Coordinating Council
Building Owners and Managers Association of Australia
Department of Administrative Services—Australian Construction Services
Department of Housing, New South Wales
Department of Local Government, Queensland
Master Builders Construction and Housing Association, Australia
National Committee of Independent Living Centres
Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
South Australian Department of Housing and Construction
Telecom Australia
Additional interests participating in preparation of Standard:
Association for the Blind, Victoria
Royal Blind Society, New South Wales
Royal Society for the Blind, South Australia
VICROADS

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to
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Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue
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Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are
welcomed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without
delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 91099.

 AS 1428.4—1992

Australian StandardR

Design for access and mobility

Part 4: Tactile ground surface

indicators for the orientation of
people with vision impairment

First published as AS 1428.4—1992

Incorporating Amdt 1 - 1995

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 7300 7
 PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Access for People with
Disabilities.
The ground surface indicators proposed in this Standard are designed to give warning of
hazards, and directional information to pedestrians who are blind or who have impaired
vision, through contact by foot or cane with the ground surface.
The design and installation requirements have been based on research on the ability of people
who are blind or who have vision impairments to locate indicators and identify patterns on
them, to be published in a report titled A performance evaluation of selected tactile tiles
under consideration for use by the vision impaired in Australia (see Foreword).

CONTENTS
Page

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

APPENDICES
A RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
B TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS—TYPICAL LAYOUT
DETAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

E Copyright — STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

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 3 AS 1428.4—1992

FOREWORD*

Blind pedestrians are subject to a wide range of possible dangers and inconveniences when travelling alone.
Fortunately, many of these can be avoided through the use of communication systems which do not depend on
vision.
Auditory information allows for communication at a distance, and can readily replace visual clues in some
situations (e.g. audible traffic signals can substitute for visual ‘Walk’ and ‘Don’t Walk’ signals). Still, there are
many situations in which auditory information is either impractical or inadequate.
Tactile information is another satisfactory alternative for communication in selected cases. Blind people who use
long canes can profit from tactile information which is detectable either by their canes or underfoot, and blind
people who do not use canes can still profit from underfoot information.
In Japan, several types of tactile tiles have been installed in thousands of locations, and these tiles are used to
communicate a variety of messages. As a group, these tiles are usually called ‘braille tiles’ (although they have
nothing to do with the symbol system commonly called ‘braille’). Some other Oriental and European countries
have also installed braille tiles in selected locations.
However, despite the fact that braille tiles have been installed in many locations over the past 15 years, there are
at least three reasons why evaluation of their usefulness is important before recommendations concerning
installation of new locations are made:
(a) Study of the value of the tiles in communicating with blind pedestrians in any locale has been quite limited.
(b) ‘Braille tile’ is a generic term which represents several different specific styles of tile, some of which may
be more valuable than others in some applications.
(c) The orientation and mobility training and habits of blind pedestrians in different parts of the world may
contribute to different levels of performance by blind pedestrians who contact braille tiles.
A performance evaluation of selected tactile tiles under consideration for use by the vision impaired in Australia
presents the results of several studies of the performance of a group of blind volunteers who attempted to detect
selected tactile tiles, and their opinions relative to these tiles. The purpose of the study was to provide objective
information on the probable value of specific tiles in particular installations. The three types of tiles evaluated
were dome tiles, pathway tiles and braille road rivets.

* From the introduction to A performance evaluati on of selected tactil e ti les under consideration for use by the vision impaired in Australia,
A.F. Peck, Boston College; M. Tauchi, Japan National Rehabil it ation Centre; T. Murakami, Tokyo Metr opolit an Rehabili tati on Centr e and
M. Okhura, Seikei University.
AS 1428.4—1992 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Design for access and mobility

Part 4: Tactile ground surface indicators for the

orientation of people with vision impairment

1 SCOPE This Standard specifies requirements for the design and installation of tactile indicators for use on
ground or floor surfaces to assist the mobility of people with vision impairment.
NOTE : Guidan ce on the type and ins tallation of raise d pav emen t mark er s to delinea te ped es trian cr os sing ar ea s ar e inc lu de d in
Appe nd ix A and on the ge ne ra l installation lay ou t of tac tile gr ou nd sur fa ce indica tors in Appe nd ix B.
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1428 Design for access and mobility
1428.1 Part 1: General requirements—Buildings
1428.2 Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements—Buildings and facilities
1683 Methods of test for elastomers
1683.4 Method 4: Density of vulcanized rubber
1683.11 Method 11: Tension testing of vulcanized rubber
1683.12 Method 12: Tear resistance of vulcanized rubber
1683.15.2 Method 15.2: Durometer hardness
1683.21 Method 21: Rubber – Vulcanized – Determination of abrasion resistance using a rotating
cylindrical device
1683.23 Method 23: Rubber – Vulcanized – Determination of resistance to liquids
1683.24 Method 24: Rubber – Vulcanized – Determination of resistance to ozone cracking – Static strain
test
1742 Manual of uniform traffic control devices
1742.10 Part 10: Pedestrian control and protection
ASTM
D 573 Test method for rubber – Deterioration in an air oven
D 575 Test methods for rubber properties in compression
3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS 1428.1 and those below apply.
3.1 Tactile indicators – patterned modules which may be individual tiles, or strips of modules.
3.2 Directional pattern (elongated pattern) – a pattern that indicates the direction of travel to be taken.
3.3 Warning pattern (dot pattern) – a pattern that indicates a potential hazard or a change of direction.
4 MATERIALS
4.1 Tactile indicators for outdoor applications Tactile indicators for outdoor applications shall have a low rate
of degradability, shall not be susceptible to fading by UV light, or to chipping, and shall be slip-resistant when
wet or dry.
4.2 Tactile indicators made from natural or synthetic rubbers Tactile indicators made from natural or
synthetic rubbers shall comply with the test criteria shown in Table 1.
5 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Tactile indicators warning of hazards Tactile indicators warning of hazards shall be Type A as shown in
Figure 1 or Type B as shown in Figure 2.
NOTE: Type B is preferable for use in wet areas.
5.2 Tactile indicators for directional guidance Tactile indicators for directional guidance shall be Type C as
shown in Figure 3.

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TABLE 1
TEST METHODS AND CRITERIA FOR TACTILE INDICATORS MADE FROM
NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC RUBBER
Test crit eria
Test Method Before ageing in accordance wit h
Change after ageing
ASTM D 573 for 96 h at 70°C
Not more than ±30% fr om the ori ginal
Tensil e str ength AS 1683.11 Not less than 6 MPa
tensil e strength
Elongati on of material at Not more than -30% from the ori ginal
AS 1683.11 Not less than 180%
break measurement
Within ±30% of the ori ginal
Tear strength AS 1683.12 Not less than 20 kg/cm
measurement
AS 1683.15.2 Not more than ±5° from the ori ginal
Hardness A median hardness of 70 ±5°
Type A hardness
The defl ecti on of the specimen expressed as a percentage of the original
Compressibil it y ASTM D 575
thickness – no more than 36%
Densit y (specifi c gravit y) AS 1683.4 The mean density of the material – 1.40 ±0.10 t/ m3

Wear resistance AS 1683.21 The relati ve volume loss – not more than 150 mm3

Effect of water AS 1683.23 Foll owing immersion in water for 168 h at 23 ±2°C, length change – not more
than 5%
Ozone resistance AS 1683.24 Foll owing testing for 72 h, 50 p.p.h.m. (by volume) ozone at 40°C, there shall be
no cracking

6 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
6.1 General requirements Tactile indicators shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) Tactile indicators shall have a colour contrast to that of the adjacent surface. The colour shall provide a luminance
contrast to the surrounding surface of not less than 0.3 (30%).
NOTE: A person with li mited vision needs this contrast to detect the module visually.
(b) Where tactile indicators warning of a hazard are required on ground or floor surfaces, the indicators shall be
Type A or Type B (see Figures 1 and 2).
(c) Type A or Type B indicators shall be installed across the path of travel, at right angles to the hazard. The
minimum length of the indicator, measured at right angles to the hazard, shall be 600 mm. Except for railway
stations, wharves and the like (see Clauses 6.7 and 6.8), the edge of the indicator adjacent to the hazard shall be
set back from the hazard a distance of 300 ±10 mm.
(d) Where direction of travel indicators are required on ground or floor surfaces, Type C indicators shall be laid in
the direction of travel (see Figure 3).
(e) Type C indicators used to form a path of travel shall be centred on the line of travel and have a minimum length
and width of 300 mm.
Where Type C indicators are used in conjunction with Type A or Type B indicators to give direction of travel to
negotiate an obstacle or danger, the Type C indicators directly adjacent to the Type A or Type B indicators shall
have a minimum width of 600 mm and a minimum length of 300 mm.
(f) Type C indicators shall be provided with drainage gaps through the raised ribs. These gaps shall have a width of
10 ±2 mm and be located not more than 600 mm apart.
(g) Indicators shall be laid so that there is no likelihood of edges lifting.
(h) The abutment of any surface shall be such that there is no step or ledge of more than 3 mm.
In addition to the general requirements noted above, specific installation requirements for particular applications are
provided in Clauses 6.2 to 6.9 as follows:
(i) Stairways, escalators and ramps (see Clause 6.2).
(ii) Kerb and step ramps (see Clause 6.3).
(iii) Car park crossings (see Clause 6.4).
(iv) Vehicle pick-up areas (see Clause 6.5).
(v) Railway platforms (see Clause 6.6).
(vi) Passenger wharves (see Clause 6.7).
(vii) Overhead hazards (see Clause 6.8).
(viii) Change of direction (see Clause 6.9).
6.2 Tactile indicators at stairways, escalators and ramps Type A or Type B indicators shall be provided at both
the top and bottom of stairways, escalators and ramps, as shown in Figure 4. The indicators shall have a minimum
length of 600 ±10 mm except at landings in enclosed stairways and at escalators where the length may be reduced to
not less than 300 mm.
NOTE: Tactile indicators for directional guidance may also be provided.

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FIGURE 1 TYPE A INDICATORS

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FIGURE 2 TYPE B INDICATORS

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FIGURE 3 TYPE C INDICATORS

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FIGURE 4 TYPE A OR TYPE B TACTILE INDICATORS AT STAIRW AYS,

ES CALATORS AND RAMPS

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6.3 Tactile indicators at kerb ramps and step ramps Tactile indicators shall be provided at kerb ramps and step
ramps as shown in Figure 5. Type A or Type B indicators shall have a width of not less than the width of the ramp
and shall extend for not less than 200 mm in each direction from the sharp transition at the top of the ramp. (For kerb
ramps and step ramps, see AS 1428.1.) Type C indicators shall have a minimum width of 600 mm and shall extend,
in the direction of travel, from the building line to the Type A or Type B indicators.

FIGURE 5 TACTILE INDICATORS AT KERB RAMP S AND STEP RAM PS

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6.4 Tactile indicators at crossings in high-u se vehicular areas, e.g. carparks Tactile indicators shall be provided
at crossings in high-use vehicular areas such as carparks, as shown in Figure 6. Where crossing is in two or more
stages, each stage shall be treated as a single crossing. All signs and markings shall comply with AS 1742.10.

FIGURE 6 TACTILE INDICATORS IN A HIGH-USE VEHICULAR AREA

6.5 Tactile indi cators at bus stops Tactile indicators shall be provided at bus stops as shown in Figure 7.
NOTE: The Type C indicator s shoul d ali gn with the intende d position of the bus do or.
6.6 Tactile indicators at vehicle pick-up and drop-off areas If a circulation space or a path of travel adjoins a
vehicular way, and if there are no railings or other elements detectable by a person with severe vision impairment, the
boundary between the areas shall be defined by a continuous strip of Type A or Type B indicators with a minimum
width of 600 mm, installed 300 ±10 mm from the roadway as shown in Figure 8.

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FIGURE 8 WARNIN G STRIP ADJACENT TO A VEHI CULAR WAY

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6.7 Tactile indicators at railway platforms The edges of railway platforms shall have Type A or Type B indicators
with a minimum width of 600 mm commencing 600 mm to 900 mm from the edge of the platform as shown in
Figure 9.
NOTE: The set-bac k fro m the ed ge of the platform is normally spe cified by the tra nsit autho rity.

FIGURE 9 EXAMPL ES OF TACTILE INDICA TORS AT RAILWAY PLATFORMS

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6.8 Tactile indicators at passenger wharves The edges of passenger wharves shall have Type A or Type B indicators
with a minimum width of 600 mm commencing 600 mm to 900 mm from the edge of the wharf.
NOTE: The set-bac k fro m the ed ge of the wharf is no rmally specifie d by the transit author ity.
6.9 Tactile indicators warning of hazards within the circulation space or adjacent to a path of travel Where an
area adjacent to a circulation space (e.g. beneath a stairway) is less than 2 m in height, and no barrier is provided (see
AS 1428.2), Type A or Type B indicators shall be provided, as shown in Figure 10, to prevent inadvertent access to
this area.
NOTE: Tacti le ground surf ace indicat ors do no t provide adeq uate warning from over head obstruc tions. A verti cal clearance of not les s than
2 m above circulatio nspac es sh ould be main tained.

FIGURE 10 AN EXAMPL E OF TACTILE INDICATORS WARNING OF AN

ADJACE NT HA ZARD IN A CIRCULATION SPACE

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6.10 Tactile indicators denoting a change of direction Installation of tactile indicators to denote a change of
direction shall be as shown in Figure 11.

FIGURE 11 INSTALLATION OF TACTILE INDIC ATORS DE NOTING A

CHANGE OF DIRECTION

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AS 1428.4—1992 16

APPENDIX A
RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS
(Informative)

Where possible, pedestrian crossings on roads, carparks and the like should be delineated by raised markers installed
at the edges of the crossing. A form of marker known as a road rivet (see Figure A1) is used in some countries, most
notably Japan. However, concern has been expressed in Australia about the damage caused to roads by their installation
and the likelihood of them becoming dislodged by traffic after a relatively short time, resulting in loose objects which
could damage cars or cause injury to pedestrians.
It is suggested that the delineation of the crossings could possibly be achieved by the use of plastics studs (similar to
traffic lane markers) fixed to the road surface by epoxy adhesive, or possibly by the use of a different surface texture
on the highway. The different surface texture could, for example, be over the full area of the crossing, or be a series
of grooves at the edges. Where studs are used, the configuration should be as shown in Figure A2.
In order to assess the feasibility of these various measures, Standards Australia would welcome comment on any
installations that are implemented.

NOTE: The figure shows the road ri vet used in Japan. Although it may not be possible to incorporate the root it would be desirable to utili ze
the tactile warning pattern on the surface.

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE A1 RAISED PAVEME NT MARK ERS

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FIGURE A2 RAISED PAVEME NT MARK ERS AT PEDES TRIAN CRO SSINGS

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AS 1428.4—1992 18

APPENDIX B
TACTILE GROUN D SURFACE INDICATORS – TYPICAL LAYOU T DETAILS
(Informative)

Figure B1 shows in diagrammatic form typical layout details for a highway intersection with directional guidance to
particular facilities.

FIGURE B1 HIGHWAY INSTALLATION

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