A Guide To Tactile Paving - Premier Surfacing

There are many kinds of surface material that can be used for your driveway and one of the most unique is tactile paving. This type of surface comes with raised textures that look like ‘blisters.’ The slabs are meant to be felt by people who are visually impaired and unable to see a crossing point. Due to their raised nature, the slabs can be felt through shoes. A second use for tactile paving is to discourage reckless driving because the bumps are uncomfortable for motorists to travel over. We’ve put together a guide on tactile paving to determine whether it’s suitable for your driveway.

Are there different types of tactile paving?

Tactile paving originated in Japan, when it was designed by Seiichi Miyake in 1965. First introduced in a street in Okayama city, the paving spread to the rest of the world. Tactile paving is usually made of clay, stone or concrete and can be split into two main types. Rounded blisters are used to indicate a crossing in the road and show the edge of a platform in the street e.g. at a tram stop. The latter takes the form of larger, lozenge shaped bumps. The second type is known as corduroy paving and is used to mark hazards in the road. They might be found at the top of a set of steps or near the edge of a train platform. Corduroy paving can also be utilised to show a safe path to a space that doesn’t have any obstructions.

Is tactile paving suitable for my driveway?

Although tactile paving is most commonly used for public roads, there may be some benefits to having it for your driveway. For example, if you know or live with someone who is visually impaired, then tactile paving will help them navigate. But the biggest advantage would come from protecting the space within your driveway and the outside area from other motorists. By having rounded blister surfacing outside of your home, it will cause other drivers to slow down and may deter them from blocking the area. This is only recommended if you live in an area where parking is a problem. Tactile paving is a specialist kind of surfacing that is best used in certain circumstances. It all depends on what you think is best for your driveway and the area that you live in. At Premier Surfacing, we have knowledge of all kinds of surfacing, whether for public or domestic use. For more information contact us today.