Unidirectional Tactile Paving: Circulation for the Visually Impaired

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened inequalities of universal accessibility in the built environment. The visually impaired have been affected by the lack of mobility that resulted from social distancing and physical distancing. Numerous circulation networks, from small retail shops to large-scale public spaces, have been reorganized to limit the spread of COVID-19. By assigning an orientation to each lane, unidirectional circulation networks allow for physical distancing by limiting face-to-face interactions among most pedestrians. These unidirectional networks are communicated visually, by placing flat arrows on the floor, but not through the other senses and are thus inaccessible to the visually impaired. This demonstrates a lack of universally accessible design for unidirectional circulation. We propose two designs (asymmetrical blocks and cobblestone blocks) for a novel unidirectional tactile paving which allows the visually impaired to navigate through unidirectional circulation networks by feeling tiles with their feet and/or canes.