Detectable Warning Surfaces at Curb Ramps

Tests of blind pedestrians’ need for detectable warning surfaces at curb ramps found that curb ramps were involved in half the cases in which there were barriers to successful crossings. In the absence of cues, some experienced travelers entered intersections at perpendicular curb ramps or were misdirected by diagonal curb ramps into parallel streets. Detectable warning surfaces provide a cue that alleviates the first problem but can exacerbate the second. Equally effective surfaces may be found that provide sufficient cues but are less expensive and easier to maintain.