Slippery Stainless Steel Tactile Pavements Spark Complaints in Multiple Cities, Experts Call for More Considerate Accessibility Design

Recently, stainless steel tactile paving installed in several cities has become a safety hazard due to a disconnect between its design and practical use, drawing public attention. Following complaints from residents about the stainless steel tactile paving at the west pedestrian tunnel on Yuejiang Road in Guangzhou, the construction party has already repaved it.

Stainless Steel Tactile Paving’s “Safe Path” Becomes a “Danger Zone”

A visually impaired comedian once joked in a comedy program that stainless steel tactile paving in some cities becomes extremely slippery after rain, “After it rains, stainless steel is no different from an ice rink,” bringing the issue of stainless steel tactile paving into the public eye.

During on-site visits, it was found that the anti-slip performance of stainless steel tactile paving on rainy days is indeed widely criticized. On stainless steel tactile paving in multiple locations on Tiyu Road and Tianhe Road in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District, the surface becomes as slippery as if oiled whenever it rains. Pedestrians walking on it must tread carefully, as a slight misstep can lead to a fall. For visually impaired individuals who rely on tactile paving for navigation, the danger is significantly increased on such slippery surfaces, turning what should be a “safe path” into a “danger zone.” Furthermore, some stainless steel tactile paving also suffers from construction quality issues, such as loose screws and raised edges. These problems can not only hinder the movement of guide canes used by the visually impaired but also easily trip pedestrians and potentially cut heels.