To ensure all Americans have equal access to the world around them, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has made tactile paving a national requirement. Tactile paving is a detectable warning tile covered in truncated domes and is used to alert persons of all abilities when they reach an unsafe edge. Detectable warning pads can be found in many public areas, but are most commonly used at transit stations, curbs, and pedestrian walkways as well as escalator approaches. All persons can feel the truncated dome installations comfortably through their shoes, and are alerted to oncoming danger; this is especially important for individuals with visual impairments.

As a national requirement, it is imperative that project budgets allow for acquisition, installation, and replacement of truncated dome tile. To minimize your project costs, it is advisable to use an ADA compliant tile with a high definition tactile surface.

A high definition tactile surface is a detectable warning tile constructed to have superior durability, as well as anti-slip resistance, in addition to truncated domes and bright colors. Access^® Tile produces high definition tactile surfaces using our patented Diamond Grip Micro Prism design. This design features a ‘pyramid with sides’ pattern that is proven to last longer and provide better grip. We also use twice the amount of tactile elements as opposed to comparable products, ensuring a long-lasting ADA compliant tile.

Our tactile paving is rigorously tested to ensure it can withstand any environment. This includes dynamic vehicle loading, using the ASHTO HS20-44 wheel load test, as well as various ASTM Concrete tests, and ASTM D tests. Access^® Tile is also slip resistant, abrasion resistant, corrosion resistant, and non-porous; allowing our detectable warning surfaces to handle the harshest northern winters and the most sweltering southern summers.

Access^® Tile’s ADA compliant tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) feature an innovative replaceable design. Our ADA tiles can easily be replaced in a few minutes.  Every truncated dome tile comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, which protects against manufacturer’s defects, defective work, breakage, deformation, fading, and loosening of tiles.

We have incorporated tamper proof fasteners in our Replaceable Cast in Place tiles. After the ADA compliant TWSI are installed, they lay flush with the tile face and create a surface free of tripping hazards. These fasteners can only be removed from the detectable warning tile using a special tool, which ensures that it is completely tamper-proof. You can order this tool from any of our distributors.

All of our high definition tactile surfaces, otherwise known as detectable warning tiles or tactile paving, are made in Buffalo NY. These ADA pavers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, and are available as both Surface Applied tile and Replaceable Cast in Place tile options. Our product offerings include a  Radius Curve tile, and our Wayfinding directional tile, these are available as either Surface Applied tiles or Replaceable Cast in Place Tiles.

Every one of these products is designed to meet and exceed all ADA regulations, as well as the standards of the Public Right-of-Way (PROW), and California Title 24 Requirements. You can view our ADA Regulations page for a summary of the act’s most important points, or view the full official Truncated Domes ADA Requirements.

Quick Reference:

• Tactile paving was made a requirement by the ADA and can be found in transit stations, curbs, pedestrian crossings, and more.
• As ADA compliant TWSI is a requirement, you need to budget for in your project costs. The best value for your money is to use a high definition tactile surface.
• A high definition tactile surface is an ADA paver with enhanced durability, and anti-slip resistance. All of Access^® Tile’s tactile walking surface indicators are high definition tactile surfaces.
• All detectable warning surfaces are tested rigorously using the ASHTO HS20-44 wheel load test, as well as various ASTM Concrete tests, and ASTM D tests. They are also completely non-porous and designed to survive harsh winters.
• All of our ADA warning tiles are completely replaceable and comply with all ADA Regulations, the PROW, and California Title 24.