Transpo Industries

The city of Asheville, N.C., completed the College St. Streetscape Project in 2005 incorporating many technologies and design concepts. Numerous ADA-compliant ramps were installed using "Brick Red" Step-Safe? precast polymer concrete tactile dome safety tiles manufactured by Castek, Inc., a subsidiary

The installation crews quickly learned how to most efficiently install the Step-Safe? tiles. The crew made a template out of plywood the size of the tile pattern (2x8). After pouring and bull floating the concrete, the crew placed the board into and level with the concrete and scraped off the excess amount collecting at the edges of the board. After the concrete became firm enough to work, the board was pulled and the Step-Safe? tile placed into the cavity and pressed to create a bond with the concrete. The edges were rubbed and smoothed to make an attractive finish.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the access board have published guidelines for detectable warning surfaces. Under these guidelines, construction work at a street intersection, crosswalk and all adjacent pedestrian areas must be made ADA-compliant. Compliance means that the surface of the pedestrian approach to a street requires a ramp with a detectable warning surface.

Step-Safe? polymer concrete tiles have been used for street corner ramps, crosswalks, train/subway station platforms and commercial locations since 1993. Step-Safe? tiles are constructed of a special precast polymer concrete matrix, making them high-strength, resistant to wear, weather and corrosion, assuring a long life. The exposed coarse angular sand on the back side of each tile creates a strong bond when placed in fresh concrete or exterior grade tile mortars.

- Article by Transpo Industries