Why Do Metro Stations Have Yellow Rumble Strips? | World News

Cities across India are now largely connected to metro rail networks; Dozens of systems are operating in major urban centers such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and more. Every day, millions of passengers—workers, students, shoppers, and travelers—rely on subway trains to move efficiently through busy metropolitan areas. From the first rails laid in Delhi’s sprawling suburbs in the early 2000s to the vibrant, technology-enabled networks that now weave through more than 20 Indian cities, India’s metro story is a symbol of its urban awakening. India’s metro network has increased from 248 km (2014) to 1,013 km (2025).

If you commute regularly by metro, you may have noticed bright yellow stripes on the floor of metro stations: along corridors, near platforms, on staircases or near ticket offices. These are hard to miss, but do you know what they actually do?

Contrary to what many people think, these are not merely design elements and are not meant to divide sections of the station. These are part of a thoughtful system known as tactile flooring and play a crucial role in helping visually impaired passengers navigate stations safely and independently.

What Are These Yellow Stripes and Why Do They Exist?

The yellow tiles you see are tactile tiles (also called “guide tiles” or “tactile tiles”).

They were first invented in Japan in the 1960s to assist visually impaired pedestrians and give them a reliable tactile and visual signal they could follow.

Over the years, the idea has spread across the world and metro and railway stations around the world, including those across India, have adopted tactile paving to improve accessibility and safety.

How Do These Strips Help? — Security and Accessibility

Guidance for the visually impaired: Yellow tiles have a textured surface; raised bumps or linear protrusions. A person walking with a cane or even just feeling with their feet can feel these patterns. Linear/projecting sections act as “direction guides” that show a safe path toward exits, ticket booths, stairs, or elevators. Bump-patterned tiles act as “warning zones”, often placed at stair edges, platform edges, or in areas where caution is required.

Platform edge warnings: Tactile strips on the edges of the platform help prevent accidental falls on the rails, especially by warning visually impaired people that they are approaching the edge.

Bright color for visibility: Yellow color is not random; It was chosen because it has high visibility and contrasts with the typical ground color; This makes the strips easier to detect for people with partial vision or low vision.

Universal accessibility and dignity: Installing the tactile finish reflects a commitment to inclusive design. It allows visually impaired passengers to travel independently, giving them mobility, confidence and dignity when using public transportation.

Why Do So Many Passengers Walk Over Them Even If They See Them?

Because subway systems are so heavily used (thousands, if not millions, of people commute to work every day) these tactile pathways become part of the general walking flow. Even sighted people often find them useful, especially on crowded platforms or during rush hour, where the textured road provides a light grip and sense of direction.

But more importantly, these simple yellow stripes quietly serve a profound social purpose: they ensure that metro travel is not only fast and efficient, but also inclusive and safe for all citizens, regardless of their physical abilities.

So the next time you step into the subway station and walk along those yellow lanes, remember: they are not just a design choice, but a small but powerful step towards making urban transportation accessible for everyone.