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What is the purpose of the rubber mats in the pavement at crosswalks?
I notice that most (not all) of the cross walks at our town that have traffic lights have red rubber mats embedded in the concrete at the corner just where pedestrians would begin to cross the street. Why? do they contain pressure sensors? or are they there to warn blind persons that there is a light?
6 Answers
- EdnaLv 72 years ago
One reason is to provide traction for pedestrians, when the crosswalks are slippery from rain or snow.
- ErikLv 72 years ago
Ours are yellow. I don't understand the "partially sighted" idea, since if you can see a pad on the ground, you can see the street and the curb. I always assumed it was to give better traction to people with wheelchairs, especially if the roads are slippery due to rain or ice.
- JetDocLv 72 years ago
Where I live, they are bright yellow. They are to help visually impaired (blind) people to find the entry to the crosswalk. I think they are required by some sort of Government regulation.
- ?Lv 72 years ago
I'd imagine they're to help provide grip for wheelchairs and also provide a contrast for those with sight problem. Here we have concrete inserts where the sidewalk is lowered at crossing points, which have raised "pimples" on them, for that sort of purpose. I'm always amazed at how those who are sight impaired or even totally blind can detect them and know where they are.
