Traffic Drums

Our Different Types of Traffic Drums and Channelizer Drums

We offer a wide variety of high-quality traffic drums designed to enhance safety and visibility in work zones, construction sites, and roadside projects. Each of our drum types features durable construction and meets MUTCD requirements, ensuring that you can trust them in all weather conditions. Choose the right style below to meet the unique needs of your traffic management application:

• Traffic Channelizer Drum with 4" EG Grade Reflective Sheeting and Rubber Base – ideal for general work zone applications.
• Traffic Channelizer Drum with 6" Reflective Sheeting in EG or HI grade and included Rubber Base – a higher level of reflectivity.
• Traffic Channelizer Drum with 6" Diamond Grade Reflective Stripes and Rubber Base – Ensures maximum visibility with top-tier reflectivity for nighttime and low-light conditions.
• Channelizer Drum Rubber Tire Base – Enhances the stability of your traffic drums, keeping them upright in windy or high-traffic conditions. For additional weight, stack an additional tire ring on the drum.

Guide: Selecting the Right Reflective Sheeting

Requirements vary by location; please verify your specific state and local MUTCD regulations regarding minimum reflectivity standards before purchasing.

About Our Traffic Drums

Traffic drums, often referred to as traffic channelizer drums, or traffic barrels, are essential tools in modern roadway and work zone management. Their large, barrel-like shape and bright orange color immediately catch drivers’ attention, while their reflective bands—whether EG, HI, or DG—help maintain visibility under all lighting conditions. By guiding motorists through temporary traffic patterns, channelizer drums reduce confusion and enhance overall safety for road crews, pedestrians, and drivers alike.

These channelizer drums are designed with durability in mind, constructed from impact-resistant materials that can withstand repeated use and harsh weather. Many models include weighted bases or the option to add sandbags, ensuring the drums remain stable even in windy conditions or high-traffic areas. Because they’re highly portable and stackable, traffic drums simplify setup and teardown, making them an efficient choice for both short-term projects and long-term highway construction zones.

Differences Between Traffic Drums, Channelizer Drums, Traffic Barrels, and Traffic Channelizers

"Traffic drum," "channelizer drum," and "traffic barrel" are largely interchangeable terms for the same type of device: a large, bright-orange, barrel-shaped unit used to guide vehicles around roadwork or construction zones. These drums feature reflective bands to ensure visibility in low-light conditions and can be weighted or stabilized to remain upright in windy or high-traffic environments.

A "traffic channelizer," on the other hand, is a broader term referring to any device used to guide and direct traffic. While traffic channelizers certainly include drums (barrels), the category also encompasses cones, delineators, vertical panels, and more. In other words, a drum is one type of channelizer, but not all channelizers are drums.

Compliance with MUTCD Standards

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) sets the standard for all traffic control devices on public roads in the United States. Our traffic channelizer drums comply with MUTCD guidelines, ensuring they meet strict size, color, and reflectivity requirements. This means that when you choose MUTCD-compliant traffic drums, you’re not only investing in top-tier materials and craftsmanship, but also ensuring that your work zone adheres to the highest level of national safety standards.

MUTCD compliance ensures consistency across states and municipalities, making it easier for drivers to understand and follow road signage and signals. By employing MUTCD-approved traffic drums, you help maintain a uniform, recognizable appearance that reduces driver confusion and results in safer navigation through construction areas, lane closures, and detours.

Ready to Order Traffic Drums?

To enhance your work zone safety with the right set of traffic drums Visit TrafficSafetyStore.com or call us at 1-800-429-9030 to discuss your needs and place an order today. Our team of experts is here to help you select the best products for your specific application.