The document discusses the development of tactile pedestrian crossings in South Africa. It provides background on non-motorized transport and universal design principles. There is currently confusion regarding tactile ground surface indicator design in South Africa. The presentation examines international and local guidelines and proposes a standardized tactile pedestrian crossing layout for South Africa based on best practices and consultation with stakeholders. This aims to provide consistency and address the lack of clear guidance that currently exists.

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THE DEVELOPMENT OF
TACTILE PEDESTRIAN
CROSSINGS IN SOUTH
AFRICA
Frano Combrinck
UCT Presentation
24 February 2016
Civil Engineering, Highways, Transportation Industry (16y)
Business Owner at Future Mobility Engineering (FME)
Involved SABS, SANCB, NDoT, IFB, UAC, Contractors.
• Main focus;
• Non‐Motorised Transport (NMT) and
• Universal Design/Access Projects (UA)
• Research and development of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators
(TGSI) – SANS 10400‐S & SANS 784, SANCB, IFB
• Development of standards for (TGSIs)
• Main Goals;
• IATA Cert iv
• Universal Access Consultant (UAC) by July 2016
Mr. Frano Combrinck

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• Non‐Motorised Transport (NMT)
• Public Transport Objectives and Legislation
• Universal Access or Design (UA/D)
• UD Applied to intersections
• Why?
• Projects NMT & BRT
• Confusion
• Tshwane/GIBB Standard Book of Drawings & Others
• What? –TGSIs on Pedestrian Ramps
• How? TGSI Ramp Design and construction
• Further Research Required
CONTENTS
• Transport that requires human energy. These are in the form of
walking, bicycles, tricycle etc.
• Animal power for example, horse drawn carts, donkey carts,
bullock cart, horse riding etc.
• long/short trips in rural/urban areas.
• Access to mechanized modes of transports.
• The recognition of NMT as a major mode of transport is embodied
in a number of national, provincial and municipal legislation,
policies, master plans and frameworks and need to be taken into
consideration by NMT Planning and for universal access.
Non-Motorised Transport (NMT)

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One of the strategic objectives for Land Passenger Transport that is presented within
the White Paper on National Transport Policy, 1996:
“ensure that passenger transport services address user needs, including those of
commuters, pensioners, the aged, scholars, the disabled, tourists and long distance
passengers”
This is affirmed in all the following constitutions, conventions, acts etc;
• The Constitution (Act No 108 of 1996)
• The SA adopted UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and
Optional Protocol
• The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act
No 4 of 2000)
• The National Land Transport Act, 2009 (Act No 5 of 2009)
• The Integrated National Disability Strategy White Paper, Nov 1997.
• The National Development Plan targets
Strategic objectives for public
transport and supporting legislation
The Public Transport Strategy outlines the process towards achieving
universally accessible transport.
• This process is to be incremental, with new systems achieving universal access
from the outset, and with existing services upgrading to the same standard
within a similar timeframe.
CURRENTLY Billions spent on
• NMT Projects (Footways & Cycle ways) and
• 13xBRT Projects that includes NMT, UA
ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL ACCESS (UA)

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Universal access or design improves facilities for all people in all ages,
stages of their lives and health.
(Not FOR Disabled)
Ideas and concepts that is applied to the built environment to achieve
better aesthetics, more usable and accessible environment to the
greatest extent possible to all people, regardless of age, ability, status
in life, pushing a trolley or a pram, temporary illness or injury, any
kind of impairment, be it visually, mobility or hearing impaired.
Totally remove obstacles that can hinder the progress of any person
trying to get from point A to point B, be it rural or urban, throughout
the entire travel chain.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS (UA)
• Address only the aspect of universally useable design. The practice of design involves
more than a consideration of usability, and should also take into account other
considerations such as economics, engineering, culture, gender and environmental
concerns.
• Equitable Use; useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities
• Flexibility in Use; accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
• Simple and Intuitive Use; easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience,
knowledge, language skills, current concentration levels.
• Perceptible Information; communicates necessary information effectively to the user,
regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
• Tolerance of Error; minimises hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or
unintended actions
• Low Physical Effort; can be used efficiently, comfortably and with minimum fatigue
• Size and Space for Approach and Use; Appropriate size and space is provided for
approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture or mobility.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS (UA) – 7 Principles

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IN THE CONTEXT OF NMT/UA - WHY?
Moving from Urban Sprawl to TOD

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WHY? (What do we want to happen?)
Promote NMT
Mode Change
Densification
Concentration
Walkability
Cyclability
Accessible
Equity
WHY? (What don’t we want to happen?)

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• One of these facilities included into the infrastructure is the kerb
ramp to assist people with special needs to access the footway and
cross roads etc.
HOW? – BY PROVIDING WELL DESIGNED FACILITIES
FOR NMT USERS
OK, THAT’s EASY, JUST ADD A RAMP….

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UNFORTUNATELY NOT
No Warning !Warning
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
Way-finding system included in external or Internal pedestrian surfaces.
• Warn pedestrians of imminent hazards, such as warning the pedestrian of
a dropped kerb at a pedestrian crossing and direct person on direction to
cross the road.
• Guide pedestrians along defined routes.

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OK, we need a RAMP and we need to WARN BLIND
Current SA Options
OK, we need something. But WHAT? _More Options
Current SA Options

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OK, we need something. But WHAT? _Profile?
TOTAL CONFUSION?
• Disability Industry
• Engineering
• Architectural
• Construction
• Academic
(Who has the answer?)
‐ A lack of
‐ Contradicting
‐ Outdated information

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Local South African Guidelines:
• National Building regulations
• DOT Pedestrian & Cycle facility guidelines Aug 2003
• Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000
• SANS 10246:1993 Accessibility of Buildings to Disabled
• SANS 10400:1990, + Part S (in Draft) supersedes 10246
• SANS 784:2008 Design for access and mobility‐ Tactile indicators
• Johannesburg and Tshwane Design Book of drawings
• JRA Book of Engineering drawings
DESKTOP STUDY AND EXPERIENCE?
International Guidelines:
1. UK Gov DETR “Guidance on the use of Tactile Paving Surfaces" – 1998
2. UK Disability Discrimination Act 1995
3. Inclusive Mobility guidelines
4. International Best Practice in Universal Design a global review, March
2006 (Canada Human rights Commission)
5. Camden Streetscape Design manual, March 2005
6. Transport for London Streetscape Design Manual, 2009
7. Enhanced Accessibility for people with Disabilities living in Urban Areas,
Department for International Development, and Includes South African
Federal Council on Disability proposals.
8. Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disabilities Act)
DESKTOP STUDY AND EXPERIENCE?

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International Guidelines_ Continued:
9. A Europe Accessible for all Report 2010 by EU Commission, Aug 2003
10. Inclusive Design of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Latin American Experience notes of
World Bank, May 2005.
11. Mobility for All, Accessible Transportation Around the World, A guide to making
transportation accessible for persons with disabilities and elders in countries
around the world.
12. Technical and operational challenges to inclusive Bus Rapid Transit: A guide for
practitioners, World Bank, Sep 2010
13. Department of Transport (DOT) Pedestrian & Bicycle facility Guideline Aug2003
14. Design Guideline to improve Accessibility to commuter rail in South Africa, Draft
2008
15. World Bank, Bus Rapid Transit Accessibility Guidelines, Jan 2007
DESKTOP STUDY AND EXPERIENCE?
NOTE:
• In isolation, the above mentioned documents also incorporates many
other guidelines and standards as well as consultation with
institutions and workgroups of various disabilities.
• Guidelines from the following countries were all included in the
investigation to date: South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, India, Asia,
North & South America, China, Ecuador and Europe
None of the above mentioned documents indicates the currently
suggested design of tactile pedestrian crossing according to the
SANS 784 Standard.
DESKTOP STUDY AND EXPERIENCE?

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WHAT IS OUT THERE ?
Where did the Blisters
come from ?
INCORRECT PROFILE
• SANS 784: 2008 Design for access and mobility -Tactile
indicators;
is an Australian and New Zealand Standard which was
adopted by SA in 2008 (Pre Soccer World Cup),
but is actually a 2002 Standard on Disability Discrimination.
(14 Year Old Standard)
Is currently going through a review and consultation process
to rewrite in SA. Has already been updated in AU/NZ.
EXISTING STARTING POINT

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ENGAGE PROFESSIONAL _ WORKSHOPPING?
• SANS 10400 Part S
• SANS 784
- WARNING INDICATORS
- GUIDANCE INDICATORS
NB:
• CONTRAST
• SKID RESITS
• DURABILITY
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
SANS 784 – PROFILE CORRECT, SANS10400-S

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In order to design them correctly, you need to know;
• What the components are;
• Blocks, (Warning, Guidance)
• Buffer
• Gradient & Levels
• Transitions
• Landing
• How they function or assist a person that is blind or partially sighted.
• Controlled and Un‐Controlled
• Detect
• Guide
• Warn
• Direct
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
Application to Kerb Ramps
TACTILE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING COMPONENTS
LANDING: (1.5m passing)
• Assist with level change
accommodation.
• Passing
• Approach
• Circulation
KERB TRANSITION:
• Assist with level change
accommodation
(1:20,15,12)
GRADIENT: (1:20,15,12)
• Assist with ease of
access
BUFFER: (0.3 X 2.4/1.6m)
• Increase safety.
• Reduce ponding.
• Reduce wheel lift of a
wheelchair.
WARNING AREA: (0.8 X 2.4/1.6m)
• Assist with Warning and
Directing
GUIDING AREA: (0.8 X back of fw)
• Assist with Guiding towards
the Warning section/ Ramp
GRADIENT:
1:20,15,12

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• REMEMBER;
• Desktop study
• Workshop
• Some site work
• Practical work experience
• Taking all the principles and international examples researched
• Using what was already happening in South Africa
• Merging layouts in a sensible way
TACTILE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FOR SOUTH AFRICA
BUT Where does THIS layout come from?
Complies to and incorporates international best practice, consultation with
(NDoT), (SABS), UA Consultants and some disability alliance groups including
(SANCB + some Subsidiaries).
This is crucial to ensure consistency and uniformity in design and layout
throughout South Africa.
TSHWANE / GIBB STANDARD BOOK OF DRAWINGSTSHWANE / GIBB STANDARD BOOK OF DRAWINGS

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Landing
Landing
EXAMPLES OF THE DOCUMENT
x2
EXAMPLES OF THE DOCUMENT

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FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SINCE TSHWANE / GIBB GUIDELINE ISSUED 5 YEARS AGO
FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
In order to design them correctly, you need to know; (Continued)
• What are the problems?
• Layouts, Un‐Controlled, Controlled, Stations
• Incorrect Engineering Designs
• Obstacles: (Utility Boxes, Street furniture, Kerb Inlets, Kerb Radius
issues, Trees, lighting, Effective Contrasting, levels, approaches)
• Different Scenarios
• NO One size fits all
• Keeping up with Research and Development Changes
• Workmanship
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
Application to Kerb Ramps

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RESULT OF FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL RAMP CONSTRUCTION

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CONTROLLED AND UN-CONTROLLED TGSI LAYOUT
CONTROLLED TGSI LAYOUT VS KERB RADIUS

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Narrow Footway Treatment
SANS 784
WARNING TACTILES
Footway gradient
1:50

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LATEST DEVELOPMENT
NDoT Position Paper on
Tactile Pedestrian Crossings
(Narrow Footway)
DISCUSS NARROW FOOTWAY PRINCIPAL

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FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BRT TRUNK STATIONS

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FURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BRT FEEDER STATIONS
SOURCE: SANS 784
• DISCUSSION
• DISCUSSIONFURTHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BRT FEEDER STATIONS

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TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
INCORRECT APPLICATION
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
INCORRECT APPLICATION
• DISCUSSION

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• DISCUSSION
• DISCUSSION

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TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (TGSI’S)
INCORRECT APPLICATION
• DISCUSSION
IN‐LINE Pedestrian
crossing
Legal
Pedestrian crossing
???
• DISCUSSION

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• DISCUSSION
• NOTE:
YOU CANNOT CONSTRUCT NEW STANDARDS TACTILE
PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND THINK EVERYTHING
ELSE WILL STAY THE SAME.

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