11 hours ago
Important purpose behind markings all over Australian footpaths: 'I had no idea'
Whether it's on city streets, in shopping precincts or train stations, millions around the country walk beside them every day. But how many of us actually know what the trails of bumps and bars on the ground are really for?
The City of Brisbane Council issued an important reminder recently, prompting many residents to reveal they had no idea. The council explained that, like in many densely populated cities, the raised markings used on the pavers of areas like Queen Street Mall are part of a braille trail, there to assist people with impaired vision to move about safely.
Also known as tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs), these markings are the long, raised strips or dot patterns installed in public areas that often span many metres through busy thoroughfares.
They're designed to be felt underfoot or with a cane and are typically located in high-traffic or hazard-prone areas. For many, they act as an essential substitute for visual information, allowing for greater independence, confidence, and safety when navigating public spaces.
"Don't stand, walk or place items of braille trails," the City said online. "Keep them clear to help others."
Many responding after seeing the post admitted that they didn't realise the markings' important purpose. "I had no idea what these were. I honestly thought it was flooring design or something. What a great idea," one woman said.
"I doubt most people know the purpose of these. Good post," echoed a second. "I never knew — now that I know, I will be conscious not to be in the way," wrote a third local.
In Australia, TGSIs began to be more widely implemented from the late 1990s, following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
National standards were later developed to guide their use, with tactile indicators now required in most new public infrastructure and major upgrades. Their presence has since become a quiet but critical part of inclusive urban design — often unnoticed by many, but life-changing for those who rely on them.
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