This is the Reason Guiding Blocks on Sidewalks Are Yellow

Guiding blocks or guide paths for the visually impaired are almost always associated with bright yellow colour. These paths are commonly found on sidewalks, stations, bus stops, terminals, and shopping centres. However, why are guiding blocks generally made in yellow, rather than other colours such as red, white, or grey? It turns out that the choice of colour for guiding blocks is not merely aesthetic, but relates to accessibility functions and user safety. The colour selection for these guiding blocks is regulated in Ministerial Regulation of Public Works No. 30 of 2006 on Technical Guidelines for Facilities and Accessibility in Buildings and the Environment. Yellow is chosen because it has a high contrast level compared to the usual colour of sidewalks or floors. This contrast makes the guiding blocks easier to recognise by individuals with low vision or those who still have limited residual sight. In public spaces, sidewalk colours are dominated by grey, black, or cement tones. The presence of bright yellow makes the guide path appear more prominent and easily distinguishable. Besides contrast, yellow and orange are known as colours that quickly attract human attention. Therefore, yellow or orange is widely used as warning or safety markers, for example, on road markings, warning signs, and safety lines in industrial areas. On guiding blocks, this colour helps users as well as other pedestrians to be more aware that the path is a special facility for the visually impaired. In addition to yellow, guiding blocks also have two main patterns with different functions. The pattern of longitudinal lines is used as a directional guide for walking, while the pattern of dots serves as a warning or caution sign, for example, before stairs, intersections, or pedestrian crossings.