Redesigning Tactile Paving for Inclusive Mobility

A Case Study from Taipei MRT

Individual Project: 3D Modeling, Prototyping, User Research, User Testing, Accessible Design

In Taipei’s MRT, traditional tactile paving lacks effective directional guidance, limiting visually impaired individuals’ independence. To address this, a redesigned hexagonal paving incorporates raised patterns for navigation and blocks for exit indicators. This solution enhances accessibility and empowers visually impaired passengers, bridging the mobility gap in urban transportation systems.

A cane tip gliding along raised directional patterns on a hexagonal tactile paving tile

Addressing the Mobility Gap for the Visually Impaired

Modern standards for basic needs now extend beyond food, water, clothing, and shelter to include equitable access to essential services, such as transportation.

Turnstiles with tactile paving for visually impaired accessibility at the exit of Songshan MRT station

In urban environments like Taipei, where over 70% of residents rely on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system daily, accessible transportation is critical. However, for visually impaired passengers, navigating MRT stations remains a significant challenge. Many rely on assistance from other passengers or MRT staff, underscoring a key issue: the current tactile paving design does not fully support independent mobility.

Traditional tactile paving fails to provide effective directional guidance

While compliant with accessibility standards such as ADA guidelines, traditional tactile paving fails to provide effective directional guidance. This creates a significant barrier for visually impaired individuals attempting to navigate complex transit systems like the Taipei MRT independently.

A New Approach to Tactile Navigation

This project focuses on redesigning tactile paving to bridge this gap in accessibility, specifically within Taipei MRT stations. Inspired by initial interviews with visually impaired individuals and detailed analyses of MRT station layouts, the project reimagines the traditional square tactile paving as a hexagonal design.

The hexagonal tactile paving design with textured and raised patterns

The hexagonal tiles not only provide a modern aesthetic but also incorporate functional improvements:

Directional Guidance: Raised tactile patterns on the surface help indicate pathways and directions.

Exit Indicators: Raised blocks on the hexagonal panels signify exit numbers, offering clearer navigation cues for visually impaired users.

Design Process: From Analyzing Taipei MRT Station Floor Plans and Conducting Initial Interviews to Prototyping and Testing the Final Hexagonal Tactile Paving Design

The redesign began with a comprehensive analysis of all 125 Taipei MRT station floor plans, revealing that most stations are rectangular with exits along longer sides or at the front, offering passengers up to three directional options. Ada, Xinyi, and Shan-Fang, interviews with members of the blind community, provided valuable insights into their navigation techniques, including how they use canes, interpret tactile paving, and manage routes between stations and home.

Ada, who is blind, uses a cane for navigation on tactile pavings, guided by Cheng-Kung, who has albinism, in front of their blind massage store.

Prototypes of the hexagonal tactile paving were tested within the blind community to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting independent navigation. During the initial testing, Shan-Fong, who has albinism, used a cane to assess the tactile patterns. He suggested increasing the distance between each block's patterns and enlarging the blocks' size to make it easier for visually impaired individuals to recognize and count the blocks on each tactile paving using their cane.

(Top) Shan-Fong, with albinism, tested a hexagonal tactile paving prototype with a cane, alongside close-ups of raised patterns. (Bottom) Ada and Xin-Yi, visually impaired, explored the prototypes and offer hands-on feedback.

Reflection

Designing products for people with special needs has deepened my empathy throughout the design process. I learned the importance of carefully choosing language during interviews, particularly when describing shapes, to ensure clarity and accessibility. Additionally, when guiding prototype testing, I realized the need to describe shapes and colors beforehand for better engagement.

Importantly, I discovered that, despite modern conveniences, hidden barriers for visually impaired individuals still persist. This project provided an opportunity to rethink longstanding accessible designs that fail to fully address real issues. Moving forward, the challenge lies in minimizing these barriers in an increasingly technology-driven world.

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