The City of Winnipeg has developed a Standard Construction Specification for the
application, material specification, design and installation of Detectable Warning Surface
Tiles (DWST). The utilization of these tiles has proven to be an invaluable mechanism for
supporting the City of Winnipeg’s Universal Design Policy and making our streets safer for
pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
Developed over the course of 10 years, the City has established a proven standard for the
design, use and installation of DWST. During the development process the City has
monitored the performance, installations procedures, durability and functionality of the
DWST and has engaged the general public and stakeholders such as Canadian National
Institute for the Blind, Vision Impaired Resource Network and the Mayor’s Access Advisory
Committee throughout the process with much success. Public Works also researched other
jurisdictions that experience severe weather patterns similar to Winnipeg, particularly those
with winter months.
Through this paper, the City of Winnipeg presents the current Standard Specification and
describes all of the rationalization and lessons learned behind the development of the
Standard. This will aid other jurisdictions is implementing their own Standards and expedite
their development.
