Tactile Ground Surface Indicator –Installation and challenges faced by visually impaired globally

Abstract

Tactile Surfaces are used by visually impaired people globally as an assistive tool for tactile cues from the environment for their mobility. Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) or Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI) are used in many countries for visually impaired as a standard tool for enabling a barrier-free environment. TGSI enable people with all types of visual impairment to wayfind, orient and detect hazard in the built environment. The purpose of this study is to find the challenges faced by the installation of tactile ground surface indicators and the challenges faced by visually impaired globally. This paper attempts to review the relevant literature based on both installations of tactile ground surface indicators and the issues faced by the visually impaired in many countries. The literature review shows that the visually impaired face challenges of wayfinding, orientation, and hazard warning in many countries because of the absence of standardized design of size, texture, color and installation protocol of TGSI. Maintenance and reinstallation of TGSI is an issue in many countries which causes confusion and discomfort to visually impaired.