This thread about those bumpy pavements went viral because it’s a lot more complex than you thought

Everything you wanted to know about those bumpy paving stones – okay then, tactile pavements – but never took a moment to ask, thanks to @BlondeHistorian on Twitter.

1.

As I’ve been trained by fab @guidedogs how to navigate using tactile pavement I thought I would share some key info in a thread! First, blister paving at road crossing points. The tactile round bumpy paving at pelican crossings is usually red & bumps are in horizontal rows. pic.twitter.com/bGdmfW3sZ9

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

2.

At pelican or controlled pedestrian crossings the red bumpy blister paving is in an L shape. The vertical tail of the L connects to the building line. This helps VI people find the crossing as they follow the L into the bottom corner. This also leads to the button box. pic.twitter.com/Td8VnEorNW

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

3.

It’s really important not to block the bottom corner of the L shape or access to the right side button box. The button box has a tactile on the underside. This cone spins the light goes green so VI people can cross safely even when there is no beeping!

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

4.

Here you can see two different pedestrian crossing Ls at a junction with their tails pointing the way into the crossing point. pic.twitter.com/PjFkLtQ4NE

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

5.

At uncontrolled crossings, meaning without lights or a box, there is just a simple rectangle or square of yellow bumpy blister paving. pic.twitter.com/vB9IVTeTOQ

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

6.

On train platforms the bumpy blister paving is in diagonal lines rather than horizontal rows. This is mainly perceptible using my feet. There is normally a gap between the paving & platform edge. I use this kind of paving to navigate along a platform. If it’s on my right I’m safe pic.twitter.com/xhZNAd7tbD

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018

7.

Before steps or slopes the tactile paving has horizontal ridges know as corduroy! Regarding stairs they indicate the start or end of a set of stairs. There is usually a gap of an average footstep before the stairs stop or start. pic.twitter.com/PKhUODmvAq

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018