Over the last few years, more and more urban designers and architects are incorporating radius shapes as part of their exterior designs. These new shapes bring modern life to an intersection rather than the classic rectangular ramp pattern we are all accustomed to. These specific radius tiles are made-to-order and manufactured with the same nano-engineered polymer concrete material as the standard TekWay ADA Dome Tiles to ensure long lasting durability and functionality. 

To make the world more accessible, the ADA established a certain list of reasonable accommodation that businesses, organizations, and companies can do to better serve individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation opens the world to everyone.

Legally, a reasonable accommodation refers to an adaptation to a job, such as day-to-day job tasks or modified work environment, that allows a qualified individual with a disability to work. An accommodation is considered “reasonable” if it doesn’t cause an unreasonable amount of work or money to make happen.

Pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise since 2008, in fact, between 2007 and 2017, pedestrian fatalities increased by 35%, and more than a third of those fatalities occurred on local streets—not highways or state roads. And 2018 was projected to have the most deaths since 1990.

This fact is sobering, and it doesn’t have to be that way.

For the urban landscape, sidewalks have become a type of no man’s land for city commuters — not only for pedestrians but also for cyclists. Since vehicles rule the road, pedestrians and cyclists are at-risk anytime they walk or ride in the road. To remain safe, city cyclists and pedestrians often turn to the sidewalk. 

While many cities want their residents and commuters to move away from using cars and encourage bicycling, pedestrians in some cases see this shift as dangerous.

For the urban setting, bike lanes can offer many benefits to the community. More and more cities are seeking ways to cut down on congestion while also improving the environment, and these cities are turning to the bicycle. However, the addition of e-bikes and shared bicycles is creating its own number of problems.

A protected bicycle sidewalk is a pathway designated specifically for bikes, usually marked with signs, curbs, or posts to separate the bicycle lane from automobile traffic on the street. Bike-friendly routes create an urban environment that makes biking not only practical but safer too. A protected bicycle lane can cut down on commuter congestion and city pollution.

The changing climate is raising alarms throughout the world as scientists and researchers shed light on rapid changes within ecosystems around the earth. Glaciers are shrinking. Winter is shortening. Certain habitats have shifted or disappeared altogether. Sea levels are rising. Heatwaves have intensified.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines a set of standards for accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities, ADA compliance is something that benefits everyone. When our businesses, neighborhoods, and local government agencies work to be considerate of individuals with differing needs, our inclusive community provides the space to recognize the unique gifts and perspectives that these individuals can offer.

To create an accessible world and to comply with ADA standards, accessible pedestrian signal (APS) models work with detectable warning tiles to keep pedestrians of all abilities safe around vehicle intersections and street crosswalks. These APS models mark heavily trafficked areas in cities with a button for audio directions for individuals with low visibility. A number of APS tools offer direction and aid to individuals with differing abilities, including a rapid tick sound, speech indication, tactile signals, and vibrating indications.

Cities are about to get much wetter as global warming increases the intensity of storms, raises sea levels, and disrupts established climate expectations. Moreover, grey infrastructures in cities are straining to keep up with the growth of urban populations. The pattern of increased storms and frequent flooding requires cities to be proactive in finding a solution for water management and emergency systems or risk being overwhelmed by flooding and constant clean-up.