Detectable warning

Detectable Warning is a standardized surface feature built in or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn visually impaired people of hazards on a circulation path. It is a unique and standardized feature, which can be detected underfoot and by cane.

Definition

A Detectable Warning is a surface feature of truncated domes built in or applied to the walking surfaces to warn visually impaired people of hazards in the path of travel. The detectable warning provides a distinctive surface of truncated domes detectable by cane or underfoot to alert people with visual impairments of their approach to streets and hazardous drop-offs. People who are blind or visually impaired are alerted of the impending hazard, and can stop before proceeding into the dangerous area.

Application

Detectable warnings are used to alert visually impaired individuals to hazards in their path of travel. These hazards may include, but are not limited to, vehicle routes, drop-offs, and bodies of water. The warnings are typically installed at the boundary between a pedestrian route and a vehicular route where there is no curb to separate the two. They are also used at pedestrian crossings and other potentially hazardous areas.

Design

The design of detectable warnings is standardized to ensure they are consistently recognized and understood. The warnings consist of a series of small, truncated domes that are arranged in a grid pattern. The domes are typically bright yellow to contrast with the surrounding surface, although other colors may be used as long as they provide sufficient contrast.

Regulations

In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the use of detectable warnings on public transportation platforms, as well as at curb ramps and other hazardous vehicular areas. The ADA Standards for Accessible Design specify the size, spacing, and contrast of the domes, as well as the size of the warning surface itself.

See also

• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Visually impaired
• Curb

Detectable warning Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia