Traffic Cones have a number of different uses.
They are the easiest way to ensure your construction site is safe from heavy traffic, and they also happen to hold parking spaces particularly well. Traffic safety cones are a versatile product, but you should know the regulations of using these products before placing them on the road to divert traffic. Traffic cones don’t come in just one style either. There are different types and accessories to go with the every day traffic cone. There’s a lot to be said for this seemingly straightforward traffic safety product.
Traffic cones go by a number of different names.
Some might call them a traffic pylon, while others might say they’re just plain old road cones. Any way you call them is up to you, but traffic cones’ primary use is to temporarily redirect traffic on roads and pathways. They’re often used to separate or merge lanes during any kind of road construction, but they can also be used to redirect traffic during accidents.
Origin Of The Traffic Cone
Invented in 1914 by Charles P. Rudabaker, the traffic cone doesn’t have the most glamorous history. Traffic cones were first used in New York City and were concrete. It wasn’t until 1958, when the M6 motorway opened, that the United Kingdom started to use traffic cones. In 1961 David Morgan constructed the first experimental plastic traffic cone.
Today’s version of the traffic cone is made with brightly colored thermoplastic or rubber, and are predominantly orange. Traffic cones are usually made up of GRP (glass reinforced plastic) or any strong, flexible plastic material. Traffic cones are designed to take a lot of impact from vehicles without getting damaged, but they’re heavy enough to slow a vehicle down if it begins to hit the cone.
Traffic cones are predominantly used for outside traffic redirection. They can also warn drivers of oncoming construction, road hazards, mark where children are playing, and block off arenas. When used at night, traffic cones should be fitted with a reflective cone for higher visibility. Sometimes, traffic cones can be fit with a flashing light to increase visibility further.
They channel drivers, divide lanes, and mark of short-term maintenance and utility work. Police often use traffic cones not only for traffic redirection, but for blocking off crime scenes and other instances. Fire personnel, utility companies, and tow truck operators also use traffic safety cones for traffic redirection. Bus companies carry traffic safety cones in case of breakdown, and event managers can use them to mark off vehicle drop off points or valet parking.
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General Traffic Cone Configuration
General traffic safety cones should be set up in a three cone usage system. This ensures maximum versatility and capability. When three cones are placed in a diagonal line in front of an incident facing oncoming traffic, the likelihood of an accident will decrease. The first traffic cone should be placed at least 20 meters away from the situation, and the one closest to oncoming traffic should be placed as close to the edge of the approaching traffic lane as possible.
It should be at least a meter away from the traffic-blocking incident. Traffic cones can be weighted down with sand or water at the bottom of the cone. Traffic cones also have a plastic mat that can be placed at the base of the cone to make it heavier, and provide a reasonably secure foundation so that the cone will not topple over.
Traffic Cone Options
There isn’t just one type of traffic cone to choose from. Traffic cones come in various sizes and regulations. Most traffic cones tend to be bright orange, but some do come in a lime green color. Usually, orange traffic cones are used to mark out, new lanes or block off traffic lanes. Green traffic cones are used to signify and exit within a row of orange cones.
Green traffic cones are also used for construction sites and authorized traffic. Placing two green cones side by side conveys an entrance to an event or venue. Sometimes you can even find a yellow traffic cone at an event or public location. These yellow traffic cones act as a “no waiting” notification to upcoming drivers, and they also help control traffic at local public events.
Traffic cones also come with reflective tape on them in order to increase nighttime visibility. In the US the traffic safety cone comes in these sizes:
A 12in cone works best for indoor or outdoor applications.
An 18in is mostly used for outdoor applications like freeway line painting.
The 28in cone is used for Non-highway applications—like a local street.
A 28in cone can be seen being used during a freeway or highway application, but they must have reflective stripes.
The 36in cone is also used for freeway and highway applications with a reflective stripe.
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Cones with a reflective stripe not only are used to increase visibility at night, but also increase awareness of the cone during the day. These cones can be used to mount signs giving specific information about blockades, diversions or roadblocks. Some signs that are used on these cones are “keep right,” “keep left,” “ road works,” and “road narrowing right” or left.
Traffic cones can be roped together allowing road workers to keep the cones in a straight line and provide an extra barrier. Some traffic cones come with a knob at the top of the cone used to tie cones together or mount cone lamps, which are attached to the top using a hoop or adjustable brace.
Surprisingly enough, other than outdoor use– traffic cones can be used indoors and in non-traffic directing ways. Cones can be used indoors to mark closed off areas within a venue (an out of order bathroom), or alert pedestrians of slippery floors. Smaller traffic cones can be used on playgrounds and schoolyards, and can be used to signify class, private property, or private lessons. So you see, traffic cones don’t just have to be used outside in traffic situations.
When it comes to the use of traffic cones there are a lot of government regulations. MUTCD, OSHA, and the U.S. Department of Transportation all have guidelines when it comes to using this product. It’s important that you follow these procedures, not only for the safety of pedestrians and drivers—but your own as well. The most intricate regulation list has to come from MUTCD. They delve into the ins and outs of using traffic cones as a channeling device. If you’re looking to use traffic cones in this way, it’s important that you pay attention to their guidelines.
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Under MUTCD, traffic cones are categorized under the usage of “channeling devices.” A channeling device warns drivers of conditions created by roadwork related activities. These devices protect workers in temporary traffic redirection zones, and guide drivers and pedestrians safely.
According to MUTCD, traffic cones that are used as channeling devices should provide smooth and steady traffic movement from one lane to another, onto a bypass or detour, or to reduce the width of the road being worked on. They can also be used to separate traffic from the roadwork, mark pavement drop-offs, provide pedestrian paths, or warn opposing directions of traffic. There are two ways to space traffic cones when complying with the MUTCD.
When using traffic cones in regards to the taper channelization method, the cones should not exceed the distance in feet equal to the speed of traffic. When you are placing traffic cones according to the tangent channelization method, they should be placed apart twice the speed of traffic.
When using traffic cones in foggy or snowed in areas a warning light should be placed on a few of the cones. That way, there is increased visibility in harsher conditions. These lights can also be used on roadways with large curvatures and cluttered environments. If the one light is being used in a group of traffic cones, then it should be flashing. If all of your traffic cones are equip with a warning light, they shouldn’t flash — but remain in a steady-burn.
Make sure that when using traffic cones as channeling devices you also give proper warning to oncoming drivers. Channeling devices should be lead by a series of warning devices that are complimentary in size, number, and placement for the type of highway which the work is taking place.
When following MUTCD’s regulations for traffic cones, the color of the cone should be fluorescent red-orange no smaller than 18 inch. Fluorescent yellow is also an acceptable color when using traffic cones according to MUTCD regulation. Traffic cones should be at least 28 inch high when being used on highways at night.
Again, when using traffic cones at night, there should be a reflective strip or flashing light to increase visibility. Reflective bands placed on a cone that is 28 ichn or larger should be 6 inch wide and placed no more than 3 to 4 inches from the top of the cone. An additional 4-inch-wide white band should be placed a minimum of 2 inches below the 6-inch band.
When placing traffic cones on the road, you should always make sure the cones won’t be blown over by the wind, or knocked over by traffic. You can double up traffic cones in order to increase their weight, and some cones come with bases that can be filled with weight. Other cones have special weighted bases, or weights like sandbag rings can be dropped over cones and onto the base to increase it’s weight. When weighing down your traffic cone, remember that whatever you use should not be hazardous towards drivers if the cone were to get hit.
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When using traffic cones as a taper in a temporary traffic control zone, spacing is everything. Whenever you use traffic cones near interchange ramps, crossroads, or curves you should probably adjust the length placement of your traffic cones. Don’t place your traffic cones to far away from one another.
This causes sluggish operations and gives drivers the ability to delay lane changes. The maximum space between traffic cones should be approximately the distance in feet of the speed in miles per hour.
For example, a 55 mph speed road should have traffic cones spaced about 55 feet apart. The types of tapers used with traffic cones to redirect traffic are marge tapers, shifting tapers, shoulder tapers, downstream tapers, and one-lane two-way tapers.
What’s Different About Our Traffic Cones
The Traffic Safety Store has an array of traffic cones that can be applied to these regulations in various ways. All Traffic Safety Store traffic cones are 100% compliant with the Federal MUTCD. Their black base PVC traffic cones are also available in orange and lime, and they all have a base made from 100% recycled PVC which is dyed black. All of Traffic Safety Store’s traffic cones are available with reflective collars and custom stenciling.
We never charges a “Set-Up Charge” for custom stenciling on their traffic cones, and they can stencil logos on the outside of any traffic cone for an added effect. With an average inventory of over 18,000 traffic cones in their warehouse, the Traffic Safety Store has the largest selection of premium quality traffic cones in the United States.
We also have a number of helpful videos at your disposal to help you chose from their extensive inventory. So if you’re having trouble deciding, simply take a look at the video below, and hopefully you can make a better decision. Don’t be afraid to contact us directly with any questions you might have.
Traffic cones are a useful product that ensures the safety of you, your workers, and oncoming drivers. They can also be used for a number of events and venues.
Purchasing a traffic cone today will save you plenty of headaches in the future. Be sure that you use them according to regulation, and you’ll never have to worry about having your employees in a dangerous situation. Go to The Traffic Safety Store today to purchase the perfect traffic cone for all of your construction and event needs.
