The practical purpose of a Tactile Ground Surface (TGSi) is to serve as a guiding device for the

vision impaired pedestrians through difficult city terrains. The practical aspect of TGSi is upheld

by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1428.4 which details every aspect that affects its application

from design to installation.

The nature of the AS/NZS 1428.4 requires the TGSi to be visually prominent which is at odds with

many design principles that may consider such contrast too intrusive for the end product. It has a

lways been a great dilemma for Architects and Interior Designers to choose a TGSi product that

could embrace both practicality and aesthetic as a whole. A compromise that has been adopted

by the TGSi industry has seen the individual Stainless Steel and PVC / Polyurethane TGSi studs

become very popular; end users of these products soon found themselves in a endless battle of

replenishing missing pieces in the case of Stainless Steel and worn-off PVC / Polyurethane studs

that become too slippery when wet. A better solution is needed and the answer is with the Eigen's

Granite TGSi range products (VersaTac and GraniTac).

                                     Fig. 1 -  VersaTac TGSi at Melbourne City Square.

Designers may choose the integrated GraniTac or the modulized VersaTac to suit individual

project where both Hazard and Directionals are available (both gives R13 in CSIRO's slip rating

test) to overcome the non comply slip rating on most of the Stainless Steel directionals.

                                     Fig. 2 -  VersaTac TGSi at Murray Street Perth.

Eigen's VersaTac is an City of Perth and City of Melbounre approved product; its substitution of the

Stainless Steel TGSi in these two cities has a marked success that has resolved a long standing

problem to both Architects and Council Engineers alike. The exfoliated finish on VersaTac TGSi

also greatly reduce the unacceptable slipperiness of the Stainless Steel TGSi under moist conditions.

                                     Fig. 3 -  VersaTac TGSi Close Up shot.

Eigen's GraniTac has been widely applied by many municipals around Melbourne and its most

recent application at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will prove it to be the most

suitable TGSi in the integrated form. GraniTac is custom manufactured to the desired thickness and

is usually made to match the surrounding paver. The aesthetic appearance of GraniTac made it far

superior to all other integrated TGSi on the market. GraniTac is laid like normal paver and this ease

in installation is a factor that must be considered whenever Natural Stone is used in landscaping design.

                                    Fig. 4 -  VersaTac TGSi Directional in Melbourne City.