Description
This is more a complaint about these so called "tactile pads" in general. When they fall apart, either from aging and weathering or being run over by a snowplow, those little nibs of plastic or rubber pose a contamination threat to nearby soils and streams. Perhaps there is a better material or design that would accomplish the same goal?
I mention this now, because they are talking about putting even more of these, on High Street.
also asked...
Q. What type of sidewalk?
A. cement
A. cement
Q. What is the problem?
A. Other (please describe in description field)
A. Other (please describe in description field)
14 Comments
City of Medford (Verified Official)
Medford-67 (Registered User)
They now make detectable warning panels from a variety of materials, including cast iron, which is the same material used to make manhole covers and catch basin grates,so they are very durable.
Unfortunately, the cast iron panels also come with a higher material cost per panel, as well a higher labor cost to install.
There is a give and take to everything.
https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/streets-sidewalks/public-rights-of-way/guidance-and-research/detectable-warnings-update
Mike (Registered User)
I've seen the metal ones, perhaps 1 in 10 are metal. I suppose if all of them were of metal they would tend to get icy.
Maybe someone could invent a cement mould.
Mike (Registered User)
A cement mould seems like the best answer.
These tactile pads, albeit with the problem I describe above, seem to be ubiquitous, not just locally.
Medford-67 (Registered User)
Mike (Registered User)
I perused the link above. Why can't the tactility be from depressions rather than domes. They would then still be detectible by a walking cane, while not leaving anything to break off.
Medford-67 (Registered User)
Unfortunately, it is the Federal Highway Administration that dictates, very specifically with exacting tolerances, the size and shape of these panels. I suspect the only reason why individual States even have a say in terms of the materials used to create the panels is due to the fact that there are very different climate concerns that influence the decision process in terms of what will work best and where. So for example, in southern Texas where summer temperatures can see many 90+ degree days, cast iron may not be an ideal solution, nor would adhesive applied warning panels. So they would choose inset plastic composite panels as they have little to no threat of snowand hence no problem with shear off.
I think to resolve the primary concern you are trying to address would be to advocate for panels made from cast iron or brick material and not the plastic variety.
Medford-67 (Registered User)
Medford-67 (Registered User)
Mike (Registered User)
I know. I pick up litter voluntarily and see them - those obnoxious nip bottles - all the time, everywhere.
They are obviously much more convenient for the drinker and more profitable for the liquor stores. They perhaps serve to reduce the amount of over-drinking because of their smallness and relative cost per ounce.
There is a limit to the amount of metal, especially something as large as a tactile panel, that it would be wise to install.
I suppose depressions - as I suggest above - would collect water, which would be an ice hazard in the winter, too.
Nevertheless, I have seen such rubber panels, which have already become ineffectual because they are now nothing more than flat panels of rubber, devoid of most of the their "domes" that have already all broken off in a few years of service.
There has to be a better way!
Признана Phyllis - DPW (Verified Official)
Tim - DPW Commissioner (Verified Official)
Tim - DPW Commissioner (Verified Official)
Owen - Engineering (Verified Official)
Thank you for bring this concern to the City. Below is a further update of this issue.
The City Standard is "brick" colored plastic tactile warning panels. Yellow colored ones are typically only used on State owned roadways within the City limits. The City cannot replace warning panels within State owned roadways without permission from the State. Some state funded projects have incorrectly used yellow ones within the City (High street) and the City has accepted them instead of having them get switched out for the corrected City standard color. They cannot be concrete as they must be contrasting colors. Metal warning panels are not cost effective for City projects and pose a larger safety hazard when hit by a plow and are dislodged from the surrounding concrete.
The small pieces of plastic that break off and wash away are a concern for the City but these happen rarely and typically happen in places that already have non-compliant pedestrian ramps. Most fragments are caught in the catch basins and properly disposed of during the City's regular leaning of the stormwater system.
The City has completed a pedestrian accessibility study (https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1650010191/medfordmaorg/muxwsddm9atcum6r3ec8/Binder_Final-Sidewalk-Report.pdf) in 2021 that categorizes high priority areas for repair and replacement of these sidewalk panels. With a backlog of over $50M, the City is focusing its resources to strategic high traffic areas within the City that will benefit the most pedestrian as well as coupling these areas with infrastructure upgrades to offset the funding sources.
The City has numerous projects queued for upgrade this construction season and the restoration of these public ways include upgrades to sidewalks and pedestrian ramps as well as green infrastructure, bicycle safety and speed calming improvements. The City website will be updated periodically with status of these projects.
Please feel free to reach out to the Engineering Division with any further questions.
Thank you.
Owen Wartella, City Engineer