One result of population growth within cities is something called urban expansion, which is the unrestricted growth of housing, businesses, and roads without any specific planning. Urban expansion influences cities’ social and environmental dynamics, causing a number of disadvantages, including longer commutes, higher transportation costs, pollution, and loss of countryside.

Tactile paving, now known as detectable warning dome tiles, was first developed by Seiichi Miyake in 1965 to help people with vision impairments navigate public spaces.  Major cities and transportation networks throughout the world use detectable warning dome tiles.
 

Vision loss or impairment can be caused by a number of injuries, illnesses, and more. Some cases happen gradually while others occur suddenly. In some situations, vision loss can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. But for most, vision loss is a frustrating experience for many as it dramatically changes their way of life.

Age may also play a part in vision loss, usually changes become apparent after 40 years of age.

Here are some common causes of vision loss.

Bike delineators are one solution to keeping bicyclists, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers safe. They need to meet certain requirements in order to serve individuals with disabilities and be ADA compliant.

Choosing detectable dome tiles comes down to seven key considerations starting with ADA compliance. Detectable dome tiles require a high level of durability to withstand constant pedestrian traffic and heavy motor vehicles. Beyond the general traffic, detectable warning dome tiles also deal with extreme temperatures and weather patterns.

When choosing detectable dome tiles, consider these important factors for choosing a dome tile that meets ADA compliance standards from color to durability.

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. 

Truncated domes or detectable warning tiles are designed to withstand sustained pedestrian traffic, and in order for them to remain reliable over the span of many years, a minimum compression strength of 12K psi is recommended.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides a guideline for how companies and public spaces can be made accessible for individuals with disabilities. While most of the standards focus on building design and public area accessibility, the ADA offers information on the best practices for ADA compliant flooring. When planning your flooring project, consider the specifications for floor and ground, including surface characteristics and carpeting.

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.

Sidewalk cracks are often an accepted reality of city living, however, non-ADA-compliant and broken sidewalks often result in injury for pedestrians, unnavigable sidewalks for people with mobility devices, and lawsuits against the city.

It’s not unusual to find missing pavement, crumbling curbs, and weeds sprouting between cracks. However, for people who use wheelchairs, broken sidewalks can be impossible to navigate, forcing them to stay at home or use the road to get around. So a simple crack in a sidewalk is not so simple and potentially dangerous.