Norfolk County Council and their Traffic Signals Maintenance contractor SWARCO UK & Ireland have partnered with our team to trial the innovative Cone B Nearside Tactile Indicator, designed to enhance accessibility and safety for sight-impaired pedestrians at signal-controlled crossings. This collaboration marks an important step toward improving inclusive infrastructure across the county.
The Challenge
For many sight-impaired pedestrians, traditional tactile cones can be difficult to detect, particularly in cold weather or for users with reduced fingertip sensitivity. Norfolk County Council sought a more effective and inclusive solution—one that could deliver clearer tactile feedback, perform consistently in changing weather conditions, and remain easy to use for individuals with diverse levels of sensory ability. It was equally important that this solution integrated seamlessly with existing nearside signal equipment already deployed across the county.
Our Solution: The Cone B Tactile Indicator
To meet these needs we consulted with a charity local to our offices in Gloucestershire as well as a local branch of the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind). This collaboration led to the development of Cone B, a redesigned tactile indicator engineered to offer a more intuitive and reliable user experience. The new model incorporates a distinct spline shape that enhances tactile recognition, while the more pronounced rotational feel helps users quickly identify when it is safe to cross. Its design also supports improved accessibility in cold conditions, when fingertip sensitivity is often reduced. Together, these enhancements create a tactile indicator that is both more noticeable and more comfortable for users who rely on clear, physical cues.
Implementation in Norfolk
Our team joined Norfolk County Council and SWARCO UK & Ireland on-site to demonstrate Cone B and oversee its installation at several trial locations in Norwich. These trial sites provide valuable real-world feedback from both pedestrians and engineering teams, ensuring that the indicator performs effectively across a variety of environments and conditions.
Early Outcomes
A local organisation for the visually impaired in Norfolk, Vision Norfolk, also played a key role in the trial. Many of the charities staff commute to and from the area on public transport and utilise the crossings included in the trial daily. Their kind initial response to Cone B has been extremely positive with early observations indicating that the improved tactile design is making it easier for sight-impaired pedestrians to locate and interpret the rotation of the unit, contributing to safer and more confident road crossing experiences.
The trial has been a real success. We’re already seeing how much easier Cone B is for users to locate and interpret, especially in challenging weather conditions. We’re incredibly pleased with the feedback so far and look forward to seeing Cone B rolled out more widely across the network
Kieran Corbally, Senior Commercial Manager
Looking Ahead
We are delighted to see Cone B making a meaningful difference to the daily journeys of sight-impaired pedestrians in Norwich. Since the trial we have seen a massive sway towards the use of Cone B not just by Norfolk but from the country as a whole, figures show we are now supplying at least 30% of all new orders with the Cone B tactile fitted.