For those who are yet unfamiliar, composite warning surfaces are surfaces used by businesses and organizations to alert those with various impairments and disabilities that they are approaching street crossings and/or other potentially hazardous drop-offs. While the benefits may seem obvious, many businesses and organizations are bereft of these much-needed surfaces. That said, the following is a shortlist of the benefits of using composite warning surfaces at these potentially dangerous areas on or around your business’s or organization’s location.
Benefits of Warning Surfaces
If you are considering installing some warning surfaces in or near your business or organization but need more information regarding the associated benefits, consider the following:
- ADA/ ABA Compliance: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act, there must be detectable warning surfaces on vehicular ways, transit platform edges, and curb ramps. These patterns must be detectable by foot or under a cane. This is so impaired individuals can find their way around on their own, without being at risk of serious injury. Additionally, this can also help alert distracted walkers to prevent them from being injured as well.
- Prevent Accidents and Injuries: Not only are these surfaces beneficial to those who are visually impaired, but they help keep pedestrians safe overall. This is because these surfaces are also required to be a different color from the normal walking areas. This immediately alerts those with average vision of the upcoming curb ramp, vehicular way, etc. They also help to alert guide dogs and prevent them from leading their visually impaired owners into oncoming traffic.
- Avoiding Fines and Lawsuits: Last but not least, installing these surfaces is essential to help you avoid fines and costly lawsuits. If you have dangerous areas, slopes, drop-offs, are located near a busy highway or intersection, etc. these cannot only help save pedestrians who frequent the area but can also prevent you from being held liable in the unfortunate event of an accident.
Overall, there is an array of benefits of installing composite warning surfaces in the appropriate areas near your company or organization. Not only will they help you to stay in compliance with both the ABA and ADA, but they will also prevent accidents of distracted everyday pedestrians and prevent you from being held liable in case of an unfortunate accident. Either way, installing these are essential if you have a property that is located near busy intersections or other relevant structures, installing these warning surfaces can be one of the smartest things you can do to protect your business and customers.
