Purpose
The purpose of the corduroy surface is to warn visually impaired people of the presence of specific hazards: steps, level crossings or the approach to on-street light rapid transit (LRT) platforms. It is also used where a footway joins a shared route. It conveys the message ‘hazard, proceed with caution’.

Definition
The profile of the corduroy surface comprises rounded bars running transversely across the direction of pedestrian travel. The bars are 6 mm (+/- 0.5 mm) high, 20 mm wide and spaced 50 mm from the centre of one bar to the centre of the next. It is recommended that the surface be in a contrasting colour to the surrounding area so as to assist partially sighted people. It must not be red which is restricted to the blister surface at controlled crossings.

Application
The corduroy surface can be used for any situation except at pedestrian crossing points where visually impaired people need to be warned of a hazard and advised to proceed with caution, for example:

Corduroy
1. The top and bottom of steps.
2. The foot of a ramp to an on-street light rapid transit (LRT) platform, but not at any other ramps.
3. A level crossing.
4. Where people could inadvertently walk directly on to a platform at a railway station.
5. Where a footway/footpath joins a shared route