Offset Blister Surface for Off-Street Railway Platforms
The off-street railway platform edge warning surface is designed to alert visually impaired individuals of the proximity of platform edges in environments such as heavy rail stations, underground stations, and tram platforms. This surface is not intended for use in public streets.
It consists of offset rows of domes, ensuring a distinct texture that differentiates it from other tactile surfaces. The surface must be installed consistently at 760 mm from the platform edge, covering the entire usable length with a width of 400 mm, and maintaining a high-contrast color against the surrounding pavement for improved visibility.
A 100 mm wide high-contrast yellow line must be placed at the rear edge of the tactile warning surface to visually indicate the «danger zone.» If space constraints on the platform require repositioning the yellow line further back, additional safety measures, such as audio announcements, should be implemented to warn visually impaired passengers. The installation must always prioritize passenger safety while maintaining consistency in tactile placement.

- Install exclusively on off-street railway platforms.
- Locate 760 mm from the edge of the platform and cover the entire useful length of the platform.
- Ensure a width of 400 mm with a high visual contrast to the surrounding pavement.
- Use a texture of offset rows of domes to differentiate from other tactile surfaces.
- Incorporate a 100 mm wide high contrast yellow line on the adjacent edge.
- If the yellow line needs to be moved back, implement additional controls such as audio announcements to warn visually impaired people.
- Adapt the installation according to the space available on the platform to ensure passenger safety.
Sources
- https://www.une.org/encuentra-tu-norma/busca-tu-norma/norma?c=N0069408
- https://accessible-eu-centre.ec.europa.eu/content-corner/digital-library/en-172102021-accessibility-and-usability-built-environment-functional-requirements_en
- https://www.access-board.gov/adaag-1991-2002.html#2.%20GENERAL
- https://universaldesign.ie/built-environment/building-for-everyone/building-for-everyone-full-series
- https://www.codigotecnico.org/pdf/Documentos/SUA/DccSUA.pdf
- https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NR-GN-CIV-300-06-Tactile-Paving-wayfinding.pdf
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61df0c91e90e07037794fe90/guidance-on-the-use-of-tactile-paving-surfaces.pdf
- Carers
- Children
- Cognitive
- Cognitive abilities
- Decolonial perspective
- Digital
- Digital barrier
- Enviroment
- Environmental
- Gender and generations
- Gender perspective
- Hearing impairment
- Low-education
- Low-income
- Older people
- Other
- Physical abilities and features
- Sensory and Physical
- Socioeconomic
- Visual impairment