Most people in Singapore are no strangers to tactile tiles, which help those with visual impairments get around safely.
Recently, however, one Redditor shared a bizarre photo of a walkway in Ang Mo Kio filled entirely with the familiar yellow tiles.
The post was captioned: “Seen at AMK. This is not the way.”
Based on the surroundings, the photo was taken outside the Food Loft kopitiam along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.
There were at least 45 tactile tiles along the walkway.
According to Google Maps images taken of the area, the tiles seem to have been around since at least 2008.
Source: Google Maps
Unsurprisingly, netizens were taken aback by the ‘concentration’ of tactile tiles covering such a short walkway.
One Redditor dubbed the short walkway as a ‘Lego floor’, referencing the bumpy appearance of the tiles.
Source: Reddit
Another wondered how the visually impaired would respond to such a block of tactile tiles, to which one Redditor responded: “MAXIMUM CAUTION”.
Some urged the OP to report the situation to relevant authorities as the walkway might do more harm than good for the group of people that the tactile tiles were meant for.
Others pointed out that the tactile tiles can get slippery when wet, posing a safety threat to passersby.
According to building material supplier Nutura Enterprise, tactile tiles are ground surface indicators that assist visually impaired pedestrians in public areas.
Source: Nutura Enterprise
It features distinctive textures that ‘warn’ the visually impaired of approaching streets or other hazardous surfaces.
It is most commonly spotted at traffic lights and MRT stations in Singapore.
It is unknown what the block of tactile tiles in the short Ang Mo Kio walkway is indicating to the visually impaired, however.
In response to MS News‘ queries, an Ang Mo Kio Town Council spokesperson clarified that the Town Council did not install the tactile indicators.
The representatives said the tiles might have been added to “enhance the safety of the slope during wet conditions”.
However, the Town Council found that using tactile indicators in such a manner is “not the most appropriate method to ensure a non-slip surface on the footpath”.
Hence, the Town Council will reinstate the slope with cement flooring even though it has not received complaints or feedback about inconvenience caused by the tactile tiles.
Also read: ‘Please help me look out for thief’: Blind busker in Yishun puts up sign after getting money stolen
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Featured image adapted from r/SingaporeRaw on Reddit.
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