The following article was written by Nick Carr and provides some information on textured surfaces. Vistaplan Streetware manufacture a range of textured surfaces - see: Takpave Tactile Surfaces.

The article was first published by EzineArticles who awarded Nick the rating: Basic Level Expert Author

Textured Surfaces

Textured or tactile surfaces, sometimes called Tactile Paving, Tactile Ground Surface Indicators and Truncated Cones, were first introduced in Japan in 1967 and their use has gradually spread across the globe - sometimes as a result of legislation designed to enhance the safety of pedestrians, particularly those who are visually impaired.

There are a variety of textured surfaces available and they can have a range of textures and colours. They are generally hardwearing and thus provide a more or less permanent surface that will take a lot of wear and tear before it needs to be replaced.

There are four main reasons for adding a texture to surfaces over which people may walk, cycle or drive:

• To provide demarcation between areas - e.g. areas restricted to pedestrians, cycles or other traffic
• To make such areas obvious to those who have visual impairment
• To make an otherwise unattractive thoroughfare more attractive
• To make the surface more slip-proof

Demarcation

By adding textured and/or coloured surfacing for pedestrians the demarcation between pedestrian only areas and those for wheeled traffic can be clearly delineated.

Visual Impairment

By using distinctly contrasting colours and/or texture it is possible to make it much easier for those with visual impairment to differentiate between areas that are safe for them and those where other traffic would pose a risk.

Attractiveness

Many areas which passengers walk across would be unattractive if they were plain concrete - by adding texture and colour these can be made much more attractive.

Non-Slip Surfaces

Many, but not all, textured surfaces can be manufactured from materials which make them non-slip, or at least, less slippery than many other surfaces. This makes such surfaces even more useful for those with visual impairment.

Making Textured Surfaces

There are two ways to create textured surfaces:

• When surfaces are first created
• At a time after the surface has been laid

When surfaces are first created

Textured surfaces may be created by either laying textured paving stones or by giving the surface a texture as it is laid. Using different coloured stones or incorporating a colouring material it is possible to add colour too.

Adding texture later

Textured paving stones or tiles may be added to existing surfaces. Where a textured surface was creating by adding a tarmac type surface, this may be re-laid over the top of an existing textured surface.

Paving Stones and Tiles

The two main means of adding texture already mentioned: paving stones and tiles have differing pros and cons:

• Paving stones are robust and hardwearing but are heavy, have a limited range of textures and few colours.
• Tiles can be made from synthetic polymers in a wide range of textures and colours that are very light and easy to handle. They can be secured by either gluing or bolting - in the latter case it is easy to replace one or more isolated tiles.

Summary

Textured (or tactile) surfaces can be created for a variety of purposes from a range of different materials but all have the same aims: to enhance the safety of those crossing over them and to enhance the environment where they are laid.

You can read about Vistaplan's Takpave Tactile Safety Surfaces and other Streetware Articles on other pages of this web site.