Tactile pavement is a system of elevated patterns and textures in the ground designed to help people with visual disabilities to move around their environment. These tactile indicators give signals that help them detect danger, changes of direction and intersections, among others. 

These tech was developed around the 20th century in Japan, by Seiichi Miyake. In 1967, Miyake introduced the first tactile pavement system called "Tenji Blocks" in the city of Okoyama, Japan. These blocks where innittially made of concrete and had points or elevated bumps that alerted people with disabilities about posibble dangers, like street crossings. The first 230 blocks where placed  in the street crossings in front of the Okoyama School for the Blind, in march 18th 1967. 

The success of the Tenji blocks in Japan lead to the implementation of tactile pavement systems in other countries. In the 1980s, these technology started to gain importance in Europe, with the United Kingdom being an early adopter. These country developed its own set os standards and practices for tactile pavement, which was promptly followed by many others.

The design and materials used for tactile pavement have evolved over time. Inittially, the elevated patterns were simple and consisted of points and bumps. However, new patterns and textures were gradually introduced to transmit specific information. 

With advancements in tech and accesibility, tactile pavement has expanded beyond traditional blocks. Now it is used in a variety of surfaces, including sidewalks, train plataforms, bus stops and even interior areas such as airports and public buildings. 

Tactile pavement continues to play a crucial role in the promotion of accessibility and independence of people with visual disabilities. It works as a key tool in order to promote inclusive enviroments and safe navegation for people with visual disabilities.