Photo by toronto.ca
The City of Toronto launched a new section to their website recently which focuses on accessibility in the streets of Toronto and has an entire page dedicated to Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI). We mentioned in our last blog post "New AODA Layws on TWSI’s in Effect" that TSWI installations are now standard regulation for all new and re-developed sloped pedestrian sidewalks in the city, and this new web page is a great resource for information about TWSI.
Stronger focus on growing Landmark division in place for 2016
With a New Year, comes a change in direction for Crozier Enterprises as we focus on expanding the Landmark by Crozier division and its growing product lines.
Effective December 1, 2015, Crozier Enterprises closed its Play! by Crozier division and all its product lines, with the exception of RockCraft, the leading manufacturer of concrete climbing rocks for bouldering (manufactured in BC, Canada's rock climbing capital). See our unique, natural looking boulders that offer fun for children and fitness for all here
To provide a seamless transition with the change in representation of GameTime products in Ontario and Manitoba over to Park N Play Design Co. Ltd., Crozier Enterprises has tried to ensure that any and all open quotes and designed/committed projects through 2017 are honoured and completed as planned with no interruptions in service.
Cast iron Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI's) durable for Canadian winters
Winter is coming. And there’s no avoiding it. It might still be sunny and fairly warm outside but as the last leaves fall, a chill will creep across the ground and soon there will be snow.
Number one priority when winter hits - keeping the roads safe. This means winter tires and snowplows. As far as pedestrians with vision loss, they rely on the durability of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators(TWSI's) to withstand harsh weather conditions and safely alert them of upcoming street crossings.
While plastic plates have been shown to crack over time from the impact of snowplows, Neenah Foundry’s TWSI’s are made from cast iron materials that don’t wear, peel or crack.
Cast iron Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI's) durable for Canadian winters
Winter is coming. And there’s no avoiding it. It might still be sunny and fairly warm outside but as the last leaves fall, a chill will creep across the ground and soon there will be snow.
Number one priority when winter hits- keeping the roads safe. This means winter tires and snowplows. As far as pedestrians with vision loss, they rely on the durability of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI's) to withstand harsh weather conditions and safely alert them of upcoming street crossings.
While plastic plates have been shown to crack over time from the impact of snowplows (see example below of a plastic plate with obvious signs of wear), Neenah Foundry’s TWSI’s are made from cast iron materials that don’t wear, peel or crack.
New Humber River Hospital to receive custom planters, tables!
Toronto - The Humber River Hospital redevelopment project is nearing completion, which means Landmark by Crozier is one step closer to showcasing its products, found on outdoor terraces throughout the facility.
Landmark by Crozier, a division of Crozier Enterprises specializing in high-quality site furnishings and construction castings, is proud to be supplying the new, fully digital hospital (located near Keele Street and Wilson Avenue in Toronto) with 30 custom planters and six courtyard table and chair sets.
New website provides key information & news on Tactile Walking Surface Indicators
Toronto, June 18, 2015 - Addressing the needs of communities looking to make streets safer for those with visual impairments, Landmark by Crozier, a division of Crozier Enterprises and a Canadian supplier for construction castings and high quality site furnishings, today announced the launch of a new website focused on providing key information on Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI), which alert of upcoming street crossings.
Twsi.ca was designed to achieve several goals including content to better demonstrate the full spectrum of TWSI’s (sometimes referred to as Detectable Warning Plates) and the role they play in improving accessibility, along with updates on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)’s new legislation coming in effect January 1st, 2016.
Landmark by Crozier, a Canadian supplier of construction castings and high quality site furnishings, is the proud supplier of Neenah Foundry’s Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI)’s. We supply Neenah TWSI’s in Eastern Canada, including the provinces of Ontario, Quebec & the Maritimes.
Q:What are Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI’s)?
A: Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI’s), are devices with defined sets of embossed patterns that have been agreed upon by International Accessibility Experts, that either provide persons with visual impairments a) warning of a hazard or b) following a direction.
Q:Where did Tactile Walking Surface Indicators Originate?
A: Tactile Walking Surface Indicators were originally developed in Japan in the 1960’s when a member of the Royal Household was visually impaired, and every effort possible was initiated to assist this person’s mobility in the public realm. Since then Japan has spearheaded many initiates for assistive devices, and TWSI’s are still more common than anywhere else in the world.
Cast iron recommended for City of Toronto standard
Results are in after a year-long Pilot Project to determine which four materials of tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI)’s would be recommended as the new City of Toronto standard. And the winner is- cast iron!
In order to comply with the Design of Public Space Standards (Part IV.1 of Ontario Regulation 191/11, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), which included new legislative requirements to have TWSI’s at the bottom of curb ramps and depressed curbs to provide alerts for those with vision loss, the City of Toronto started a Pilot Project to best decide what standard they should adopt for TWSI’s on their sidewalk surfaces.
