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Kerb Ramp Alignment
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This is an example of a blended kerb with TGSI, which provide an orientation point for the start of the road and the end of the footpath. This is an example of a blended kerb with TGSI, which provide an orientation point for the start of the road and the end of the footpath.

This is an example of a blended kerb. There is no height variation and no clue as to where the road starts and the footpath ends. This is an example of a blended kerb. There is no height variation and no clue as to where the road starts and the footpath ends

Why is it important that the kerb ramps align?

When crossing a road, people with vision impairment often use the kerb ramp to align themselves so they can walk straight across. If the kerb ramp is misaligned, it can direct people down the middle of the road rather than across to the opposite side. It is important, therefore, that

  • kerb ramps align with the direction of travel traffic
  • kerb ramps on either side of the road be aligned with each other
  • kerb ramps align with pedestrian refuge islands.

First hand perspective….
 “Because most roads have not been built with the kerbs aligned, it sometimes can be a bit of a gamble trying to cross them without ending up in the wrong place. With my lack of vision, I can’t see the other side of the road so I try to walk in as straight as a line as possible. If the kerbs are not lined up properly, you sometimes can end up on some one's lovely roses.”

Why is a proper kerb needed?

For people with vision impairment, a kerb or kerb ramp indicates where the footpath ends and the road begins. A blended kerb has a limited difference in height between the footpath and the road surface making it difficult to know exactly where the footpath ends and the road begins. Often blended kerbs have no ramp or step between the footpath and the road. What this means is that people who are vision impaired could find themselves in the middle of the road without knowing that they have left the footpath. Whilst blended kerbs provide easy transition for people with mobility difficulties, they provide little or no clue to the people with vision impairment.

Correctly applied Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) may improve the safety of the road crossing by providing a tactile clue as to where the footpath and road meets, thus preventing the person walking onto the road.

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT recommend that if TGSI are used on blended kerbs that they be placed on the section aligned with the pedestrian crossing only.