Tactile Ground Surface Indicators Policy

1. Purpose

• To enable guidance for Council to meet its legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act to assist persons who are blind or with vision impairment.
• To provide direction regarding the location for placement of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI’s).
• To provide direction regarding the physical placement of TGSI’s.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all footpaths, roads, assets and buildings within the municipality which are owned and managed by the City of Greater Geelong.

The policy also applies to carparks and infrastructure works at ground level associated with Council buildings.

The policy is applicable in circumstances relevant to private property development where Council is in a position to impose requirements through means of a planning or building permit condition.

3. References

• City of Greater Geelong Disability Action Plan
• City of Greater Geelong Community Engagement Policy
• City of Greater Geelong Design Note No 11 – Tactile Ground Surface Indicators
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
• Disability (Access to Premises) Standards 2010.
• Design for Access and Mobility - Part 1: General requirements for access – New building work AS – 1428.1–2009.
• Design for Access and Mobility - Part 4: Tactile Indicators – AS/NZS 1428.4.2002.
• ADA Standards for Accessible Design - 28 CFR Part 36 – 1994.
• VicRoads Road Design Note – Guidelines for the placement of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (February 2005).
• VicRoads Traffic Engineering Manual – Volume 1 Chapter 4 – September 2008; Volume 2 Chapter 21 – December 2001

4. Definitions

• Accessible
  Term used to describe the access component of a site, building or facility which complies with AS1428 (Various sections) the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010.
• Project Manager
  Council officer assigned to design and / or construct works.
• Responsible Department
  The area of Council responsible for the specification and approval of TGSI usage within an asset area.
• Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI’s)
  Truncated cones and/or bars installed on the ground or floor surface, designed to provide pedestrians who are blind or vision-impaired with warning or directional orientation information.

5. Council Policy

5.1. Introduction

Council recognises its obligation to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and has a corporate objective to provide infrastructure, in accordance with the Act, which within reasonable physical and financial constraints, is designed / redesigned to assist persons with vision impairment.

In designing infrastructure, Council also recognises the sometimes competing needs of persons with vision impairment, wheelchair restricted and other persons. The objective is to provide infrastructure which best services all parties and does not unfairly discriminate against any one group.

5.2. Consultation

Consultation will take place in line with City of Greater Geelong’s Disability Action Plan and Community Engagement Policy.

5.3. Approvals

Approvals for the installation of TGSI’s will be at the discretion of the Responsible Department, in line with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes

5.4. Emerging trends

Emerging trends in standards and products for the provision of assistance to the visually impaired will be managed in line with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes.

5.5. Uniqueness of sites

The Project Manager and designer shall examine the constraints presented by each site and install TGSI’s in line with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes.

5.6. Priority locations

Installation of TGSI’s at priority locations will take place in accordance with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes.

5.7. Types of materials to be used

Materials used will be in line with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes.

TGSI installation by State Government Departments will meet their requirements.

5.8. Colour Scheme

Colour scheme will be in line with City of Greater Geelong’s TGSI Design Notes.

TGSI installation by State Government Departments will meet their requirements.

5.9. Maintenance

TGSI installations shall be inspected in accordance with Council’s inspection regime as established in the Road Management Plan in accordance with the Road Management Act and maintenance shall be undertaken accordingly.

6. Quality Records

Quality Records shall be retained for at least the period shown below.

7. Attachments

Design Notes No 11 – Tactile Ground Surface Indicators