Over a decade of developing accessible infrastructure in South Africa (From the Tshwane-GIBB draft guideline 2011 to the National Technical Requirements NTR 1 Tactile pedestrian crossings 2016 and today, 2022)

Abstract

Inclusive infrastructure has been a concept that South Africa has been grappling with. This uncertainty is predominantly due to a historical lack of information available, nationally. Where bits and pieces of information on disability-inclusive infrastructure exist in various documents; contradicting information, -standards, or -guidance is common. Available information is often outdated when compared to international standards and best practices. For the past decade, various parties and entities, with the help of the disability sector, have been researching and developing "accessible" infrastructure to establish guidelines and standards that designers and approving authorities should consistently and uniformly apply. The National Department of Transport (NDoT) published "National Technical Requirement 1 (NTR1) - Pedestrian Crossings in 2016" based on research findings. This paper aims to inform designers about the various stages of work developing the tactile pedestrian crossing layouts and designs. It references useful documents that were adopted and developed in the process, as well as explains the latest developed national standard for South Africa.