{"id":9185,"date":"2025-03-21T17:37:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T21:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafficsafetystore.com\/blog\/?p=9185"},"modified":"2025-03-21T17:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T21:49:35","slug":"history-of-traffic-drums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafficsafetystore.com\/blog\/history-of-traffic-drums\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Traffic Drums"},"content":{"rendered":" \r\n

The History and Evolution of Traffic Drums (Traffic Barrels)<\/h1>\r\nTraffic drums<\/strong> \u2013 also referred to as traffic barrels<\/strong> \u2013 are familiar fixtures\r\nin highway work zones. Often made of bright orange plastic with reflective white stripes, these\r\nchannelizing devices<\/em> help direct vehicles around construction areas and hazards. According to the\r\nManual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)<\/a>,\r\ntraffic drums are highly visible, command respect from drivers, and serve a critical safety function by\r\nalerting motorists to changing road conditions.\r\n

Overview of Traffic Drums<\/h2>\r\nStanding about waist-high or taller, modern traffic drums<\/a> are hard to miss, thanks to their bright orange color\r\nand large, retroreflective stripes. Most models also feature a built-in handle on top, allowing easy relocation\r\nand also creating a spot for the attachment of flashing warning lights for night use. Their size and robust appearance force drivers to\r\npay attention \u2013 a vital element in work zone safety<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

Early Origins: From Simple Barrels to Purpose-Built Drums<\/h2>\r\nBefore purpose-built traffic drums<\/strong> existed, road crews marked work zones using\r\nwooden sawhorses, lanterns, and (later) traffic cones<\/em>. While these earlier markers offered some\r\nvisibility, they also had significant drawbacks: cones blew over easily, lanterns weren\u2019t always bright\r\nenough, and wooden barriers were cumbersome.\r\n\r\nA major innovation arrived in 1970 when Charles D. Scanlon \u2013 already known for inventing the rubber traffic\r\ncone in the 1940s \u2013 unveiled the first dedicated traffic barrel<\/strong>. Early versions frequently\r\ninvolved repurposing steel drums painted in orange and white stripes. Although these steel barrels improved\r\nvisibility and could be weighted for stability, they introduced new hazards. Filled drums were extremely heavy\r\nand could cause severe damage if struck by a vehicle. Over time, rust and dents also reduced their effectiveness\r\nand visibility.\r\n

Evolution in Design: From Steel to Plastic<\/h2>\r\nBy the late 1970s and early 1980s, manufacturers began experimenting with lightweight plastic barrels<\/strong>.\r\nPlastic could flex on impact, reducing damage to vehicles, and was far less prone to weather-related wear. The\r\nfirst plastic designs were two-piece units often stabilized with sandbags. These prototypes proved far easier\r\nto transport and set up than their steel counterparts.\r\n\r\nIn the early 1990s, plastic traffic drums<\/strong><\/a> quickly replaced steel barrels across the United\r\nStates. The 3rd Revision of the 1988 MUTCD (published in 1993) even banned metal traffic drums altogether.\r\nInnovations continued, such as incorporating a rubber tire base<\/a> (often made from recycled tires) to keep the barrel\r\nfrom tipping in high winds without requiring heavy sand or water as ballast. Modern examples\u00a0showcased robust polyethylene construction, top handles for easy moving, and low-center-of-gravity\r\ndesigns that resist tipping.\r\n\r\nToday\u2019s plastic barrels are typically made of UV-resistant polyethylene and can be stacked for efficient\r\ntransport. Many include molded-in hardware or handles so that flashing warning lights can be attached on top\r\nfor nighttime visibility<\/strong>.\r\n

Role in Modern Road Safety<\/h2>\r\nTraffic barrels<\/strong> (drums) are now a mainstay in virtually every U.S. highway work zone. They help:\r\n