Tactile directional tiles for pedestrians

Abstract

A system and apparatus for providing tactile feedback for visually impaired persons with arrangements of tactile tiles. An elongated tactile tile includes multiple rows of elongated blisters with alternating rows offset. The longitudinal axis of the elongated blisters is parallel to the direction of travel indicated by the tile. The offset rows prevent the alignment of adjacent blisters that could be confused with the rows indicating the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the tactile tile is bounded on one side by a guide way tile and on the opposite side by a hazard rib tile, both of which are aligned with the direction of travel. A plurality of tactile tiles are positioned adjacent a pedestrian walkway crossing a street. Where multiple walkways cross an intersection, a plurality of tactile tiles n the sidewalk corner indicate the direction for each walkway.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/864,110, filed Nov. 2, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to tactile tiles for pedestrians. More particularly, this invention pertains to tactile tiles that offer directional features that aid passage by visually impaired persons, such as blind or partially-sighted persons.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many visually impaired persons, that is, blind or partially sighted persons, have developed skills necessary to navigate in public. These skills include using their senses, such as touch and hearing, and various aids, such as canes and guide dogs. In many cases, these skills are sufficient to allow a visually impaired person to navigate walkways and streets.

Attempts have been made to provide secondary aids to assist visually impaired persons in navigating in public. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,528, issued to Kobayashi, et al., on Aug. 10, 1999, titled “Visually handicapped person guidance and support” discloses a portable scanner incorporated into a cane. The scanner is responsive to a resonance label that is positioned adjacent a passage, stair, aisle floor, wall surface, or Braille block.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,697, issued to Nanayakkara, et al., on Mar. 15, 2005, titled “System for guiding the visually handicapped,” discloses another navigation aid that is incorporated into a walkway and is sensed by a person wearing special shoes or carrying a special cane. A continuous electrical conductor is embedded within a walkway. A detector sensitive to the embedded conductor is incorporated into a shoe or a cane. The detector provides information to a person when the detector is proximate the embedded conductor.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,992,592 and 7,199,725, both issued to Gilfix, et al., on Jan. 31, 2006, and Apr. 3, 2007, respectively, both titled “Radio frequency identification aiding the visually impaired with sound skins,” disclose electronic travel aids that are responsive to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with objects that a visually impaired person would encounter. The electronic travel aid is a hand held device that provides information via a speaker and a tactile display when the travel aid receives data from the RFID.

The above-identified aids require that the visually impaired person carry a special device other than would normally be carried by such a person. There is a need for a passive travel aid that readily provides information to a visually impaired person without requiring the person to carry or wear special equipment. There is a need for such a passive travel aid to be available to everyone. There is a need for such a passive travel aid to be readily deployed at locations where such a travel aid would provide useful navigational information. There is a need for a travel aid that is readily discernable from adjacent environmental features.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and apparatus for aiding passage by blind or partially-sighted persons are provided. The systems include various combinations of elongated offset tactile tiles, guide way tiles, hazard rib tiles, stop line tiles, and phosphorescent ribs.

A tactile tile having elongated offset blisters protruding from a base is disclosed. The blisters are truncated, that is, the blisters have rounded sides, but a flat top. The blisters have a height and a profile that avoid creating a tripping hazard. The blisters are elongated in a longitudinal direction that is parallel to the direction of travel on the elongated offset tactile tile. The blisters are aligned in parallel rows with the longitudinal axis of the blisters in each row co-axial. The rows of elongated blisters and the elongated shape of the blisters allow a person's foot to sense the direction indicated by the tile.

Additionally, adjacent rows of elongated blisters are offset, that is, a blister in one row is not aligned with a blister in an adjacent row. If a line is projected from the center of one blister perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the line does not intersect the center of a blister in the adjacent row because of the offset. The offset blisters provide tactile indication of the correct direction. A diagonal line of the offset blisters is tactilely different than a row of blisters because, with the diagonal line, the longitudinal axis of each blister is oblique to the diagonal line. Additionally, in one embodiment, the diagonal line is not a straight line because the offset is such that the alternating rows of blisters do not follow a straight diagonal line.

The parallel rows of blisters aid a person with a cane in following the direction indicated by the elongated offset tile because the cane follows the surface of the tile between the parallel rows without obstruction. If the person with the cane deviates from the indicated direction, the cane encounters the offset blisters because the tile does not have a clear, unobstructed path for a cane on the base of the tile. The tortuous path that the cane must follow when deviating from the indicated path informs the person that the person is not traveling in the direction indicated by the tile.

According to one embodiment, a tactile guide way for a walkway is provided by a pair of parallel raised ribs that run parallel to a walkway and adjacent to a elongated offset tactile tile. Various embodiments of the guide way tiles are disclosed in application Ser. No. 11/875,884, filed on Oct. 20, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference. The pair of raised ribs are positioned side-by-side with sufficient room for a cane tip to be positioned between the ribs. A person is guided along the guide way by placing the cane tip between the pair of raised ribs and walking in the direction indicated by the pair of ribs. In one embodiment, one or both of the ribs have a short break that indicates a waypoint or a stopping point and also allows for water drainage. In various embodiments, the raised ribs are positioned on one side or the other of the walkway or down the center of the walkway.

In one embodiment, a guide way tile includes the pair of raised ribs protruding from a base. The base is adapted to be securely attached to a surface. In one embodiment, the ends of the pair of raised ribs on the tile are flush with the ends of the base, thereby allowing one segment to be butted against another segment to form a pair of continuous raised ribs. In one such embodiment, the ends of the tiles are angled, that is, the ends are not perpendicular to the base, but the surface of the end is at an angle relative to the base such that the ends of two tiles have a larger surface area for an adhesive to be disposed when butt joining the two tiles. In other embodiments, one or both ends of the raised ribs are rounded, which presents a smooth surface that avoids tripping hazards. The rounded ends are positioned at the start and/or end of the guide way. In another embodiment, the rounded ends are positioned between the ends of the guide way to indicate a waypoint or stopping point by the cane tip encountering the opening in the raised rib formed by a pair of rounded ends facing each other. In such an embodiment, the opening also allows for drainage of water and other fluids that would otherwise collect between the raised ribs.

According to one embodiment, a hazard rib tile is provided by a single elongated and truncated blister tile that runs parallel to a walkway and adjacent to a elongated offset tactile tile. The hazard rib includes a blister on a base. The blister is truncated and elongated. When positioned adjacent a tactile tile, the hazard rib tactilely indicates a hazard to a person. Such hazards include curbs, obstructions, steps, or obstacles that present a hazard to a blind or partially sighted person.

In one embodiment, the various tiles, including the elongated offset tactile tiles, the guide way tiles, and the hazard rib tiles, have an anti-slip feature. A pattern of shallow grooves is formed in the base around the blisters and/or ribs. In one embodiment, the grooves are arranged in a rectilinear pattern on the base. In another embodiment, the grooves in one direction are straight and the grooves in the perpendicular direction follow a curved line that corresponds to the offset of the blisters from row to row in the elongated offset tiles.

According to one embodiment, an elongated tile, or stop line tile, having a trapezoidal cross-section is disclosed. The stop line tile is a raised tile that is positioned parallel to a traffic stop line adjacent a cross-walk. The stop line tile has an elongated flat top with sides that slope down to the bottom surface of the tile. For flat roadway surfaces, the stop line tile provides tactile feedback to vehicle operators of the presence and limits of a traffic stop line. The tactile feedback provides additional assurance to persons, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted, that approaching vehicles have sufficient notice of the position at which the vehicle must stop to permit safe passage of the persons.

According to one embodiment, elongated ribs with a phosphorescent surface portion are disclosed. The rib is an elongated member with a flat bottom and a curved upper surface. The upper surface of the rib has a grooved pattern that provides traction and exhibits anti-slip properties. The area bounded by the grooves includes a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is molded integral with the rib. In one embodiment, the rib includes a series of elongated strips. Each strip is surrounded by a groove.

In another embodiment, the rib includes a series of stylized arrows and the ends of the ribs have a shape corresponding to the arrows. Each arrow is surrounded by a groove and the arrow is illuminated with the phosphorescent material. The front of the rib, with reference to the direction indicated by the rib, has a rounded point and the rear of the rib has in inverted rounded V-shape. The ends of the rib tactilely indicate the direction of travel for blind and partially sighted persons. The shape and the phosphorescent glow of the arrows indicates to sighted persons the direction of travel.

According to one embodiment, a street crossing system for blind or partially sighted persons is provided. The surface of a sidewalk adjacent a street crossing includes elongated offset tactile tiles indicating the direction to the crossing. Adjacent the curb is a hazard rib warning the person of the curb and the street. The hazard strip is positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel indicated by the elongated offset tactile tiles. On the surface of the roadway, guide way tiles are positioned to indicate the path for crossing the roadway. Adjacent the crossing on the traffic side of the crossing is a traffic stop line that indicates where vehicles are to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway. Adjacent the traffic stop line is a stop line tile that provides tactile indication to the vehicle operators of the precise location of the traffic stop line. In one embodiment, the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalk include tiles that extend across the full width of the sidewalk. The tiles tactilely indicate to a person the presence of a street crossing regardless of the person's path along the sidewalk.

In one embodiment, the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalk have a mitered connection at a corner where two street crossings intersect on the sidewalk. In one such embodiment, a line of tiles extends from the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalk to the edge of the sidewalk opposite the curb. Such a line tactilely indicates to a person the presence of a street crossing if the person's path does not carry them directly onto the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalk.

In one embodiment of the street crossing system, the crosswalk on the street is bounded on one or both sides by guide way tiles. The guide way tiles provide tactile indication of the path for blind or partially sighted persons. In another such embodiment, two-path guide way tiles are located down the centerline of the crosswalk on the street. In such an embodiment, the two-path guide way tiles allow two persons with canes to pass in opposite directions without colliding. In still another embodiment, the crosswalk on the street is bounded on the sides by guide way tiles and the two-path guide way tiles run down the centerline of the crosswalk on the street. Such an embodiment is appropriate for heavily traveled and/or wide street crossings.

According to one embodiment, a walkway includes a series of side-by-side elongated offset tactile tiles indicating the direction of travel of the walkway. Along one side of the walkway are guide way tiles. The direction of the walkway is tactilely indicated by the longitudinal axis of the blisters being aligned with the walkway direction and by the guide way tiles.

In one embodiment, the pedestrian walkway system includes hazard rib tiles positioned on the side of the elongated offset tactile tiles opposite the guide way tiles. The hazard rib tiles tactilely indicate that a hazard is nearby in the direction opposite the elongated offset tactile tiles. For example, a pedestrian walkway adjacent a train platform has the hazard rib tiles a safe distance from the edge of the platform. The elongated offset tactile tiles are on the side of the hazard rib tiles opposite the edge of the platform and extend a distance away from the hazard rib tiles to provide a comfortable walkway. The guide way tiles are positioned adjacent the elongated offset tactile tiles on the side furthest from the platform edge.

In another embodiment, the pedestrian walkway system includes elongated offset tactile tiles and adjacent guide way tiles. Adjacent the walkway is a turnoff, for example, a fixed location indicating a doorway, a workstation, or a loading platform. The turnoff location is tactilely indicated by an interruption of the guide way tiles and/or a path of tactile tiles between the walkway and the turnoff destination, for example, the doorway. In one such embodiment, the tactile indication in the guide way tiles includes a series of ribs positioned with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the walkway. A person using a cane with the guide way tiles receives tactile indication when the cane encounters the cross-ways ribs in the guide way path.

In one embodiment of the pedestrian walkway system, the phosphorescent ribs are positioned adjacent the walkway to tactilely indicate to blind or partially sighted persons a specific direction. The phosphorescent ribs visually indicate to sighted and partially sighted persons a specific direction by the tiles shape and phosphorescence. In various embodiments, the phosphorescent ribs replace the hazard rib tiles or provide indication of an entry or exit point for the walkway.

In another embodiment of the pedestrian walkway system, the elongated offset tactile tiles form a walkway that terminates in a doorway or other passageway, or opening, in a wall or structure. In such an embodiment, the walkway includes the elongated offset tactile tiles and guide way tiles positioned on one or both sides of the elongated offset tactile tiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a walkway segment that includes a guide way tile, an elongated offset tile, and a hazard rib tile;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of one embodiment of the elongated offset tile and the hazard rib tile;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of another embodiment of the elongated offset tile;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tactile directional tile system integrated with a pedestrian crossing of a roadway;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one embodiment of the crossing surface showing the tile pattern;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the crossing surface showing the tile pattern;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of the tactile directional tile system integrated with a platform;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a person using the embodiment of the tactile directional tile system shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment of a guide way tile showing a single guide path;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a guide way with a single guide path;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of a guide way tile showing two parallel guide paths;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one embodiment of a phosphorescent guide tile;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of a phosphorescent guide tile;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the phosphorescent guide tile; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the stop line tile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system and an apparatus for aiding passage by blind or partially-sighted persons 802 is disclosed. Blind or partially sighted persons 802 often rely upon tactile sensations in order to navigate while walking. Even for a sighted person, crossing a street and navigating walkways is oftentimes hazardous. Enabling blind or partially sighted persons 802 to navigate a street crossing and other walkways in a straight-forward manner without conscious effort allows those persons 802 to devote their senses to detecting the various dangers and hazards present on a passageway.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a walkway segment 100-A that includes a guide way tile 104, an elongated offset tactile tile 102-A, and a hazard rib tile 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide way tile 104, the elongated offset tactile tile 102-A, and the hazard rib tile 106 are individual tiles that are butted together to form a walkway segment 100-A. In other embodiments, combinations of two or all three of the guide way tile 104, the elongated offset tile 102-A, and the hazard rib tile 106 form a single tile sharing a common base 108, 118.

The guide way tile 104 includes a pair of parallel rounded ribs 114 that are dimensioned and configured to guide a tip of a cane 804 carried by a person walking adjacent the guide way tile 104.

The elongated offset tactile tile 102-A includes rows of blisters 112 on a base 108. One row of blisters 112-A is parallel to, but offset from, the adjacent row 112-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 108 includes a series of intersecting grooves 122 that provide an anti-slip feature to the surface of the base 108.

The hazard rib tile 106 includes a single, elongated rib 116 on a base 118. The hazard rib tile 106 includes the grooves 122 for the anti-slip feature.

In one embodiment, the tiles 102, 104, 106 are formed of a polyurethane casting resin with the illustrated shape and configuration. In other embodiments, the raised ribs 114, 116 and the blisters 112 are formed of the material used for the roadway 412 or other surface from which the raised ribs 114, 116 and the blisters 112 protrude.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of the elongated offset tactile tile 102-A and the hazard rib tile 106. The partially illustrated elongated offset tile 102-A is butted to the hazard rib tile 106 at a butt joint 206. The grooves 122 for the anti-slip feature are rounded depressions formed in the base 108, 118 of the tiles 102, 106.

The truncated blisters 112 include a rounded side 204 and a flat top 202. The rounded sides 204 provide a smooth surface that avoids creating a tripping hazard. The flat top 202 provides a surface that is not uncomfortable for persons 802 to walk or stand upon. The blisters 112 have a height and a shape that aids a person in tactilely sensing the presence of the blister 112 and the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blister 112. FIG. 2 illustrates the offset nature of the tile 102 by showing the blister 112-B in the second row in cross-section and the blister 112-A in the first row not in cross-section.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial top plan view of another embodiment of the elongated offset tactile tile 102-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 122, 322 for the anti-slip feature of the tile 102-B include straight grooves 122 and curved grooves 322. The curved grooves 322 follow a curved line corresponding to the offset of the blisters 112 from row 112-A to row 112-B. The grooves 122, 322 are shallow, rounded depressions in the base 108 that provide traction.

The elongated offset tactile tile 102 tactilely indicates a direction 302 of travel. The blisters 112 have a length 312 that is greater than a width 314, which makes the blisters 112 elongated. Each blister 112 has a longitudinal axis that extends through the length 312 of the blister 112, and that longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction 302 of travel. As a person walks on the elongated offset tactile tile 102, the longer length 312 relative to the width 314 is detected by the person along with the rows 112-A, 112-B of in-line blisters 112, all of which provides tactile indication of the direction 302 of travel for the tile 102.

Additionally, the offset blisters 112 of the tile 102 tactilely indicates a direction 302 of travel. The clear space between the rows 112-A, 112-B of in-line blisters 112 allows passage of a cane 804 carried by a person who is blind or partially sighted. In any direction other than the direction 302 of travel, for example, a perpendicular direction 304, the cane tip will be obstructed by the offset blisters 112. That is, there is only a single directional line 302 for the tile 102 and no other grouping of adjacent blisters 112 are aligned linearly to indicate another directional line. For example, if the cane tip starts between two blisters 112-B1, 112-B2 and moves in the perpendicular direction 304, the cane tip will contact an offset blister 112-A1 in the next row 112-A.

In one embodiment, the offset blisters 112 are positioned such that the blisters 112 avoid being bisected, cut-off, or truncated by the edge of the tile 102. In such an embodiment, one row 112-B of blisters 112 is offset to be not exactly centered between the blisters 112 of the adjacent row 112-A. The offset allows a straight line perpendicular to the direction 302 of travel to not intersect any blisters 112. The area surrounding such a line is not sufficiently wide to allow a cane tip to travel in that direction 304 without encountering a blister 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the tactile directional tile system, or a street crossing system, 400 integrated with a pedestrian crossing 406 of a roadway 412. The illustrated intersection 402 includes a stop line 408 on one side of the center line 410 in a roadway 412. Between the stop line 408 and the center of the intersection 402 is a pedestrian cross-walk 406-A. The pedestrian cross-walk 406, the stop line 408, and the roadway center line 410 are typically painted onto the surface of the roadway 412. In the illustrated embodiment, the pedestrian cross-walk 406 is a series of parallel white bars oriented perpendicular to the direction of pedestrian traffic on the crosswalk 406. Pedestrian cross-walks 406 are also known to be a pair of parallel white lines extending between the sidewalks 404 and delineating the path for pedestrians between the lines.

On the sides of the roadway 412 are sidewalks 404 that typically have a curb separating the raised surface of the sidewalk 404 from the surface of the roadway 412. The sidewalks 404 are defined by the curb adjacent the roadway 412 and the buildings 414 or other structures that are typically parallel to the roadway 412.

A pedestrian on one sidewalk 404, who wishes to cross a roadway 412, stands on the sidewalk 404 until the traffic conditions on the roadway 412 permit the pedestrian to cross the roadway 412 on the pedestrian cross-walk 406. A sighted pedestrian typically has no difficulty in seeing the markings 422 defining the cross-walk 406. Likewise, a sighted pedestrian has no problem positioning themselves on the sidewalk 404 adjacent to the cross-walk 406.

A blind or partially sighted person 802 walking along the sidewalk 404 relies upon various cues to determine the correct path to follow. Tapping a cane 804 provides such a person 802 with feedback indicating the location of buildings 414 and intersections 402. A crossing surface 400 on the sidewalk 404 adjacent the cross-walk 406 indicates to a blind or partially sighted person 802 where a cross-walk 406 and guide ways 104 for crossing the roadway 412 are located. After determining the location of the cross-walk 406, such a person 802 uses the guide ways 104 to guide themselves across the roadway 114 in a sure and expeditious manner.

Audible signals are used for guiding blind or partially sighted persons 802 across roadways 412. The audible signals provide direction and distance information to the person because the location of the audible signal is detected by moving the head and by the intensity, which indicates the relative distance and is discerned by the ears. Roadways 412 carry traffic, which generates background noise. The background noise competes with the audible signals. It is not uncommon for the intensity of the audible signals to be drowned out by the background signals or for others to complain that the audible signals are too loud if the intensity of the signal is adjusted to overcome the background noise. The guide way 104 allows a person to be guided across such a roadway 412 without the use of an audible signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-A on the sidewalk 404 includes two sections 432-A, 432-B of tactile tiles 102 positioned to indicate the direction of travel 436-A, 436-B for the cross-walks 406-A, 406-B and the presence of the guide ways 104-A, 104-B. For the embodiments where the crossing surface 400 does not cover the full width of the sidewalk 404 between the street 412 and the buildings 414, a catch strip 416 is positioned such that a person on the sidewalk 404 must either walk on the catch strip 416 or the crossing surface 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the catch strip 416 is oriented or pointing toward the center of the intersection 402, thereby providing an indication to the person of the direction of the intersection 402. In various embodiments, the catch strip 416 includes tactile tiles arranged in diagonal and/or rectilinear patterns to indicate the presence of the crossing surface 400.

In one embodiment, the stop line 408 includes tactile stop line tiles 1500 positioned to provide tactile feedback to vehicle operators of a preferred position to stop the vehicle to ensure safe passage of pedestrians. According to one embodiment, stop line tiles 1500 are an elongated tile having a trapezoidal cross-section. For flat roadway surfaces, the stop line tile 1500 provides tactile feedback to vehicle operators of the presence and limits of a traffic stop line 408. The tactile feedback provides additional assurance to persons 802, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted, that approaching vehicles have sufficient notice of the cross-walk 406 and the position at which the vehicle must stop to permit safe passage of the persons 802.

In various embodiments, the guide way tiles 104 are positioned at one or both sides of the cross-walk 406. In another embodiment, a two-path guide way 104-B is positioned in the center of the cross-walk 406-A, which enables two persons 802 using canes 804 to pass on the cross-walk 406-A.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the crossing surface 400-A, which is generally illustrated in FIG. 4. The blisters 112 in each section 432-A, 432-B of tactile tiles 102 forming the crossing surface 400-A have their longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the direction of travel 436-A, 436-B of the adjacent cross-walk 406-A, 406-B. One segment 432-A has one edge adjacent the cross-walk 406-A for crossing one street 412-A. The opposite side of the segment 432-A has a joint with the segment 432-B for the cross-walk 406-B crossing the side street 412-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the joint is a miter joint, that is, the segments 432-A, 432-B are joined at a 45-degree angle. The miter joint allows the blisters 112 of one segment 432-A, 432-B that fall on the joint to mate with the blisters 112 of the other segment 432-B, 432-A that fall on the joint, thereby avoiding a tripping hazard.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-A includes a corner segment 438 at the corner 502 of the sidewalk 404 nearest to the center of the intersection 402. The corner segment 438 indicates the portion of the sidewalk 404 between the cross-walk 406 and the adjacent side-street 412. The corner segment 438 has a non-slip surface and does not tactilely indicate a direction of travel. The use of the corner segment 438 is suitable for intersections 402 that have sidewalks 404 with a corner 502 that has a wide, sweeping curve and not the sharp sidewalk corner 602 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In another embodiment, the corner segment 438 is an area free of blisters 112 that is defined by the intersecting edges of the segments 432-B, 432-A and the edge of the sidewalk 404 adjacent the street 412.

At the edge of the crossing surface 400 adjacent the curb and roadway 412 are hazard rib tiles 106 with elongated ribs 116 tactilely indicating the adjacent curb and street 412. A person walking along the crossing surface in the direction 436 toward the cross-walk 406 encounters the hazard ribs 116 before encountering the street 412.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the crossing surface 400-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-B includes two segments 432-A′, 432-B′ that are joined with a miter joint. At the edge of the crossing surface 400-B adjacent the curb and roadway 412 are hazard rib tiles 106 with elongated ribs 116 tactilely indicating the adjacent curb and street 412. A person walking along the crossing surface in the direction 436 toward the cross-walk 406 encounters the hazard ribs 116 before encountering the street 412.

The illustrated embodiment of the crossing surface 400-B is suitable for those intersections 402 where the sidewalks 404 have a sharp corner and/or where the crosswalks 406 are wide and extend to the very corner 602 of the sidewalk 404.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the tactile directional tile system 700 integrated with a train platform 710. A walkway 712 is parallel to the edge of the platform 710. The edge of the platform 710 is identified with a stripe 702 or other marking.

The walkway 712 is formed of a series of walkway segments 100-A that include a series of tiles 104, 102, 106 arranged side-by-side in the direction 718 of travel of the walkway 712. The edge of the walkway 712 furthest away from the platform edge 702 includes guide way tiles 106 positioned end-to-end. The walkway 712 includes guide way tiles 104 on one side of the elongated offset tactile tiles 102 and hazard rib tiles 106 on the opposite side of the tactile tiles 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the hazard rib tiles 106 are on the side of the tactile tiles 102 closest to the platform edge 702. The hazard rib tiles 106 provide tactile indication of the presence of the platform edge 702, which is a safe distance from the hazard rib tiles 106. The guide way tiles 106, the tactile tiles 102, and the hazard rib tiles 106 are aligned with the direction 718 of travel of the walkway 712.

In one embodiment, the platform 710 includes a fixed opening or entry/exit point 720. Opposite the entry point 720 is one embodiment of a walkway segment 100-B having the guide way tiles 104 interrupted with a turn-off indicator tile 716 that includes several perpendicular ribs 726 oriented perpendicular to the direction 718 of travel of the walkway 712. A person using a cane 804 to follow the guide way tiles 104 detects the perpendicular ribs 726 and recognizes that a turn-off is indicated. A pathway tile 704 bridges the distance between the walkway 712 and the entry point 720. In one embodiment, the pathway tile 704 includes several ribs 714 oriented perpendicular to the walkway 712.

In still another embodiment, the walkway 712 terminates in a doorway or other passageway, or opening, in a wall or structure. In various such embodiments, the walkway 712 includes elongated offset tactile tiles 102 with guide way tiles 106 positioned on one or both sides of the elongated offset tactile tiles 102. In other embodiments, the walkway 712 includes phosphorescent ribs 1200 positioned adjacent the walkway 712 to tactilely indicate to blind or partially sighted persons 802 a specific direction. The phosphorescent ribs 1200 indicate to sighted and partially sighted persons 802 a specific direction. In various embodiments, the phosphorescent ribs 1200 replace the hazard rib tiles 106 or provide indication of an entry or exit point for the walkway 712.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a person using the embodiment of the tactile directional tile system 700 shown in FIG. 7. The illustrated person 802 holds a cane 804 that provides tactile feedback to the person 802. By tapping the cane 804 on a surface and listening for the echoes, a person 802 can often obtain information about their surroundings. Also, the cane 804 provides tactile feedback to the person 802 regarding the type and texture of the surface surrounding the person 802, in particular, the surface immediately in front of the person 802. It is common for such a person 802 to swing the cane 804 from side-to-side or even back-and-forth in a direction in-line with the direction 718 of travel.

The offset spacing and the dimensions 312, 314 of the blisters 112 allow the person 802 to detect the blisters 112 with their feet 812. If the person 802 is barefoot or has footwear with thin soles, the person 802 detects directly the blisters 112 under the feet 812 when the feet 812 are in contact with the blisters 112. Additionally, the person 802 detects indirectly the blisters 112 by the interaction of the feet 812 with the blisters 112 and the base 108, even when the person 802 has footwear with thick soles.

By walking on the blisters 112 and moving a foot 812 onto and off the walkway 712, a person 802 detects a non-smooth surface. For example, a slight rocking of the foot 812 as it makes contact with the tactile tiles 102, with the pivoting axis located inboard of the end or edge of the foot 812, indicates that the edge or end of the foot 812 is positioned in the area between adjacent blisters 112. Also, the pivoting axis provides information as to the direction 302 of travel of the tactile tile 102. Accordingly, the dimensions and configuration of the blisters 112 on the walkway 712 allows a blind or partially sighted person 802 to follow and stay on the walkway 712.

The guide way tiles 104 are positioned along one side of the walkway 712. The person 802 holds a cane 804 with the tip positioned in the area 902 between the raised ribs 114. The cane tip provides tactile feedback to the person 802 of the guide way direction 718, thereby allowing the person 802 to move in the forward direction 718.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a guide way tile 104-A showing a single guide path 902. FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of a guide way tile 104 with a single guide path 902. The tile 104-A includes a base 904 that is substantially rectangular. The base 904 has a thickness sufficient to support and secure the raised ribs 114-A. The length of the raised ribs 114-A is slightly less than the length of the base 904 because the ends 906 of the raised ribs 114-A are rounded to avoid creating a tripping hazard. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 904 includes an upper bevel 1012. In one embodiment, the bevel 1012 extends to the bottom of the base 904. In another embodiment, there is no bevel 1012 on the base 904.

In the illustrated embodiment, an area, or pathway, 902 is defined between raised ribs 114-A. The area 902 is dimensioned to allow the tip of the cane 804 to travel in either direction 908-AB from end-to-end of the tile 102-A. The centers of the raised ribs 114-A are separated by a first distance 1002 and the center of the raised ribs 114-A are a second distance 1004 from the edge of the tiles 104-A. To maintain even spacing of the raised ribs 114-A when multiple tiles 104-A are joined by butting them together side-by-side, the second distance 1004 is one-half the first distance 1002. In one embodiment, the separation, or first, distance 1002 is approximately two inches.

The raised ribs 114-A are elongated ridges with a rounded surface. Each raised rib 114-A has a width 1006 and a height 1008. The width 1006 and the height 1008, along with the separation distance 1002, are dimensioned to avoid creating a tripping hazard to pedestrians while still being of a size that enables tactile feedback to a blind or partially sighted person 802. In one embodiment, the dimensions found to provide tactile feedback without causing a tripping hazard are a width 1006 of 0.75 inches and a height 1008 of 0.25 inches with a separation distance of two inches. Such dimensions result in a height to separation ratio of 1:8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a guide way tile 104-B showing two parallel guide paths 902-A, 902-B. The illustrated embodiment includes three raised ribs 114-A, 114-B, with the pairs of ribs 114-A, 114-B separated by an area 902-A, 902-B. The two-path guide way tile 104-B includes one path 902-A that permits a right-handed person 802 to travel in one direction 908-A and another path 902-B that permits another right-handed person 802 to travel in the opposite direction 908-B without fear of collision.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a phosphorescent guide tile 1200-A. The guide tile 1200-A includes a rib body 1202-A and several phosphorescent indicators 1204-A surrounded by a groove 1206. The grooves 1206 provide traction for persons 802 walking on the guide tiles 1200 and also provide a separation for the phosphorescent material when the guide tiles 1200 are molded. In the illustrated embodiment, the phosphorescent indicators 1204-A are elongated sections with rounded ends. The phosphorescent indicators 1204 glow with a soft illumination after the indicators 1204 are exposed to light.

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a phosphorescent guide tile 1200-B. The illustrated embodiment of the tile 1200-B has tactile features including the stylized point 1304 and the stylized feather end 1302. The stylized point 1304 and the stylized feather end 1302 are rounded to avoid being a tripping hazard.

Additionally, the phosphorescent indicators 1204-B have an outline with a stylized arrow shape that corresponds to the point 1304 and end 1302 of the rib body 1202-B. The point 1304 and end 1302 are detectable by a blind or partially sighted person 802 stepping on the guide tile 1204-B. A sighted or partially sighted person 802 is able to see the soft illumination of the phosphorescent indicators 1204 in the dark.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the phosphorescent guide tile 1200. The grooves 1206 surrounding the phosphorescent indicators 1204 have a rounded cross-section the penetrates below the outer surface of the rib body 1202 and the indicators 1204. Bounded by the grooves 1206 is the phosphorescent indicator 1204, which is made of a phosphorescent material. The rib body 1202 has rounded sides to avoiding being a tripping hazard.

One method of fabricating the phosphorescent guide tile 1200 is to first inject the phosphorescent material into a mold in the area bounded by the mold protrusions that form the grooves 1206. The material for the rib body 1202 is then injected into the mold to complete the phosphorescent guide tile 1200.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the stop line tile 1500. The stop line tile 1500 has a trapezoidal shape with a flat top 1504 and two sloping sides 1502. The tile 1500 is white to aid in visibility and it is fabricated of a durable material suitable for vehicles to drive over repeatedly.

In one embodiment, the stop line tile 1500 has a width of approximately six inches and a height of approximately one-half inch. The length of the tile 1500 is sufficient to ensure that a vehicle comes into contact with the tile 1500 when the tile 1500 is attached to the roadway 412. The height of the tile 1500 is dimensioned to be sufficient to cause the tile 1500 to be detected by the driver of a vehicle when the vehicle drives over the stop line tile 1500 at a slow speed. The driver receives a tactile indication of the presence of the stop line.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a street crossing system 400 has been provided. In various embodiments, the street crossing system 400 includes a crossing surface 400 on a sidewalk 404, guide way tiles 104 adjacent the crosswalk 406, a stop line tiles 1500 adjacent the stop line 408 on the roadway 412, and/or a catch strip 416 positioned on the sidewalk 404. In various embodiments, the crossing surface 400 includes sections 432-A, 432-B associated with each cross-walk 406 at an intersection 402 and optionally a corner segment 438. The sections 432-A, 432-B include elongated offset tactile tiles 102 and hazard rib tiles 106.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a pedestrian walkway system 700 has been provided. In one embodiment, the walkway 712 is integrated with a platform 710. In one such embodiment, the walkway 712 includes hazard rib tiles 106, elongated offset tactile tiles 102, and guide way tiles 104. In various such embodiments, the guide way tiles 104 are interrupted by turn-off indicator tiles 716 and adjacent the walkway 712 is one or more pathway tiles 704 leading to an entry/exit point 720. In another embodiment, the walkway 712 terminates in a doorway or other passageway, or opening, in a wall or structure. In such an embodiment, the walkway 712 includes elongated offset tactile tiles 102 with guide way tiles 104 positioned on one or both sides of the tactile tiles 702. In other embodiments, phosphorescent guide tiles 1200 are positioned adjacent to the walkway 712.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A walkway segment providing tactile feedback for visually impaired persons, said walkway segment comprising:

a base having a planar surface, said planar surface having an anti-slip surface;

a plurality of blisters protruding from said planar surface of said base, each one of said plurality of blisters having an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis, said plurality of blisters being dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, each one of said plurality of blisters having a rounded side and a flattened top portion,

said plurality of blisters aligned in a plurality of rows, said plurality of rows being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said plurality of blisters, said plurality of rows being parallel to a direction of travel, adjacent ones of said plurality of rows being offset such that said first plurality of blisters form a single directional line parallel to said direction of travel.

2. The walkway segment of claim 1 further including a hazard rib positioned adjacent to an outermost one of said plurality of rows, said hazard rib having a longitudinal axis, said hazard rib extending from said base, said hazard rib parallel to said outermost one of said plurality of rows.

3. The walkway segment of claim 1 further including a guide way positioned adjacent to an outermost one of said plurality of rows, said guide way having a pair of parallel ribs each with a longitudinal axis, said pair of ribs extending from said base, said pair of ribs defining a guideway configured to receive a tip of a cane, said pair of ribs being dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, and said pair of ribs parallel to said outermost one of said plurality of rows.

4. The walkway segment of claim 1 wherein said anti-slip surface includes a plurality of grooves in said planar surface.

5. The walkway segment of claim 1 further including a phosphorescent guide positioned adjacent to an outermost one of said plurality of rows, said phosphorescent guide having a rib body with a longitudinal axis, said rib body extending from said base, said longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to said direction of travel, said rib body including a plurality of phosphorescent indicators integrated into and spaced apart along a top surface of said rib body.

6. The walkway segment of claim 5 wherein said plurality of phosphorescent indicators have a configuration providing a visual indication of said direction of travel.

7. The walkway segment of claim 5 wherein said rib of said phosphorescent guide has a configuration providing an indication of said direction of travel, said indication including a distal end of said rib having a pointed-shape indicating said direction of travel.

8. A crosswalk system providing visually impaired persons with tactile feedback for crossing a street, said crosswalk system comprising:

a first walkway segment having a first base and a first plurality of blisters extending from said first base, said first plurality of blisters having an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis, said first plurality of blisters being dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, said first plurality of blisters aligned in a plurality of rows, said plurality of rows being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first plurality of blisters, said plurality of rows being parallel to a first direction of travel, said plurality of rows being substantially in-line with said first direction of travel, adjacent ones of said plurality of rows being offset such that said first plurality of blisters form a single directional line parallel to said direction of travel, said first walkway segment configured to be positioned on a sidewalk adjacent a first crosswalk, said first direction of travel in-line with said first crosswalk, said first walkway segment having a width corresponding to said first crosswalk; and

a second walkway segment having a second base and a second plurality of blisters extending from said base, said second plurality of blisters having an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis, said second plurality of blisters being dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, said second plurality of blisters aligned in a plurality of rows, said plurality of rows being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said second plurality of blisters, said plurality of rows being parallel to a second direction of travel, said plurality of rows being substantially in-line with said second direction of travel, adjacent ones of said plurality of rows being offset such that said second plurality of blisters form a single directional line parallel to said second direction of travel, said second walkway segment configured to be positioned adjacent to said first walkway on said sidewalk, said second walkway segment configured to be positioned adjacent a second crosswalk, said second direction of travel in-line with said second crosswalk, said second walkway segment having a width corresponding to said second crosswalk.

9. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a first hazard rib adjacent to said first plurality of blisters and between said first plurality of blisters and said first crosswalk, said first hazard rib oriented substantially perpendicular to said first direction of travel.

10. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a first hazard rib adjacent to said first plurality of blisters and between said first plurality of blisters and said first crosswalk, said first hazard rib oriented substantially perpendicular to said first direction of travel, and further including a second hazard rib adjacent to said second plurality of blisters and between said second plurality of blisters and said second crosswalk, said second hazard rib oriented substantially perpendicular to said second direction of travel.

11. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a guide way configured to be positioned in-line with a first edge of said first walkway segment, said guide way for defining a path along said first crosswalk, said guide way including a pair of parallel ribs extending from an elongated base.

12. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a catch strip configured to extend from said first and second walkway segment toward an opposing boundary defining said sidewalk.

13. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a tactile stop line tile configured to be positioned parallel to said first crosswalk and on a traffic side of said first crosswalk, said tactile stop line tile dimensioned and configured to provide a tactile indication detectable by a vehicle indicating a location of a stop line.

14. A pedestrian walkway providing tactile feedback for visually impaired persons, said pedestrian walkway segment comprising:

a plurality of walkway segments configured to be positioned side by side to form a path, each one of said walkway segments including a plurality of blisters each being elongated and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a direction of travel of said path, said plurality of blisters forming a plurality of rows parallel to said direction of travel, said plurality of rows configured to indicate said direction of travel.

15. The pedestrian walkway of claim 14 further including a guide way configured to be positioned adjacent said plurality of blisters, said guide way defining a path parallel to said direction of travel, said guide way including a pair of parallel ribs extending from an elongated base, said pair of parallel ribs defining a pathway configured to receive a tip of a cane, said pair of parallel ribs having a height and a separation dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard.

16. The pedestrian walkway of claim 15 further including a hazard rib configured to be positioned adjacent said plurality of blisters and opposite said guide way, said hazard rib oriented substantially parallel to said direction of travel

17. The pedestrian walkway of claim 15 further including a first plurality of ribs in line with said pathway, said plurality of ribs having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said direction of travel whereby said plurality of ribs indicate an entry/exit point of said pedestrian walkway.

18. The pedestrian walkway of claim 17 further including a second plurality of ribs configured to be substantially parallel to said first plurality of ribs, said second plurality of ribs indicating a path away from said entry/exit point.

19. The pedestrian walkway of claim 14 further including a hazard rib configured to be positioned adjacent said plurality of blisters, said hazard rib oriented substantially parallel to said direction of travel.

20. The pedestrian walkway of claim 14 further including a phosphorescent guide configured to be positioned adjacent said plurality of blisters, said phosphorescent guide oriented substantially parallel to said direction of travel, said phosphorescent guide being a rib with a plurality of phosphorescent indicators integrated into and spaced apart along a top surface of said rib.