AGD is thrilled to partner with Norfolk County Council and Vision Norfolk for the first trial installation of the improved tactile cone, Cone B. This innovative device has been installed at the junction of Magdalen Street and Edward Street in Norwich, with valuable input from Vision Norfolk, whose nearby team has provided insightful feedback throughout the trial.
Cone B represents a significant evolution of the traditional spinning tactile cone. Its enhanced spline design offers a more pronounced texture, delivering a clearer tactile response for pedestrians. This improvement is particularly beneficial for individuals with reduced fingertip sensitivity—whether due to age, illness, or the need to wear gloves in cold weather—making road crossings more accessible for vulnerable pedestrians.
“I’m thrilled that Norfolk is taking part in this trial of a system which in the future could really support those with visual impairments across the UK. We’re ambitious for Norfolk, and being at the forefront of new technology like this helps us to ensure that we’re providing the best for people across Norfolk as early as possible.”
Cllr Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure, and Transport
Kieran Corbally, Senior Commercial Manager at AGD, also shared his excitement:
“ We are delighted to have our award-winning Cone B installed as part of a trial in Norfolk. The positive feedback we’ve received has been fantastic, and we look forward to further installations and continuing to support innovative solutions for improved traffic management and road safety for vulnerable pedestrians.“
Feedback from Vision Norfolk highlights the tangible benefits of Cone B, with users finding the improved tactile cone significantly easier to use, even while wearing gloves in challenging weather conditions. Vision Norfolk is optimistic about seeing more installations, which will further enhance accessibility in Norwich.
To learn more about the impact of this small but meaningful innovation, listen to Kieran and Mark Smith from Vision Norfolk discuss the project and its real-world benefits for pedestrians with impaired vision on BBC Radio.