Traffic Cone Safety Standards: A Comprehensive Guide to MUTCD and AS/NZS 1906.1:2017
Traffic cones are vital tools in maintaining road safety, guiding vehicles, and protecting workers in construction zones or areas with changed traffic patterns. However, not all traffic cones are created equal. For them to be effective and safe, they must adhere to certain safety standards. In this blog, we will explore the safety standards for traffic cones, focusing on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in the United States and AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 in Australia and New Zealand. These standards ensure that traffic cones meet the necessary visibility, durability, and safety requirements in various traffic situations.
MUTCD: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (United States)
The MUTCD provides guidelines for traffic control devices, including traffic cones, used across the United States. These guidelines ensure traffic cones are effective in directing traffic, protecting workers, and minimizing accidents in work zones, detours, and other traffic-altered areas.
MUTCD Section 6F.63: Traffic Cones
The MUTCD outlines the design and application of traffic cones, focusing on their effectiveness in guiding and controlling traffic flow. Cones must meet specific visibility and size requirements to be functional in traffic management scenarios.
Size and Visibility
Height Requirements: Traffic cones used in work zones or along roadways must be at least 28 inches (710 mm) tall. This height ensures the traffic cones are visible from a safe distance, allowing drivers enough time to react. In some cases, smaller cones may be used in areas with lower traffic speeds or in pedestrian-only zones.
OPTsigns offers safety cones in various sizes. For construction scenarios, please choose the 900mm height options.
Reflective Sheeting: Traffic cones must have retroreflective sheeting that allows them to reflect light back to its source, making them visible in low-light conditions, such as nighttime or fog. The sheeting must meet specific reflectivity standards, ensuring adequate visibility from a distance of at least 500 feet (150 mètres).
Couleur: The color for traffic cones is typically orange, but fluorescent orange cones are often used in daylight hours for higher visibility, especially in bright outdoor environments.
Placement and Spacing
Proper spacing and placement are critical for traffic cones to function effectively. Spacing typically depends on the speed of traffic, the type of work zone, and the complexity of traffic patterns. In general, the spacing of cones should be between 10 and 50 feet (3 à 15 mètres) apart.
On higher-speed zones (such as highways), the cones should be placed closer together to alert drivers well in advance. For lower-speed areas, cones can be spaced farther apart, but the goal is to always create a clear path for traffic and ensure safety for road workers.
Reflectivity Requirements
Traffic cones are required to use Type I, II, or III retroreflective sheeting that meets the required standards for retroreflectivity. This ensures that cones are visible under various conditions, including at night, in rainy weather, or in low-light environments.
Real-World Example: Traffic Cone Use in Urban Construction Zones
In a city construction zone, where roadwork frequently occurs on high-traffic streets, construction cones often divert vehicles away from construction sites and protect pedestrians and workers. According to the MUTCD guidelines, place cones 10 feet apart in these urban construction zones if the road speed is 25 mph or lower.However, if the construction zone is on a freeway or in a high-speed zone, the spacing might decrease to 5 feet, and the construction cones would need to be fluorescent orange to increase their visibility.
Additionally, reflective sheeting is crucial in this case as construction workers may be working into the late evening, and reflective construction cones help drivers navigate through the area safely.
For more information on construction cones that comply with these standards, visit OPTsigns.
AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 – Road Traffic Cones: Retroreflective Materials
In Australia and New Zealand, the AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 standard governs the retroreflective materials used on traffic control devices, including traffic cones. This standard ensures that traffic cones in these regions meet specific visibility and durability requirements to handle various environmental conditions, including UV exposure, rain, and extreme temperatures.
AS/NZS 1906.1:2017: Retroreflective Materials for Traffic Cones
The AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 standard specifies the quality and performance of retroreflective materials used on traffic control devices, including traffic cones, ensuring they remain visible over time.
Retroreflectivity Standards
Minimum Reflectivity: Traffic driveway cones in Australia and New Zealand must meet specific retroreflectivity standards to ensure that they are visible, especially at night or in foggy conditions. Retroreflective materials must have a high coefficient of retroreflected luminance, meaning they return light back to its source more efficiently than standard materials.
Retroreflective Classification: The retroreflective materials used in cones are classified into Classe 1 or Classe 2 based on their reflective properties. Classe 1 suits low-traffic zones or non-highway environments, while Class 2 or higher grades work better in high-traffic, fast-moving environments.
Durability and Performance
Weather Resistance: Cones must be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as UV rays, rain, and humidity. Over time, retroreflective materials must maintain their performance and visibility, ensuring long-term effectiveness, even in harsh Australian and New Zealand climates.
Long-Term Performance: Materials used in traffic cones must retain their reflective properties over the course of their lifespan, ensuring that cones remain visible and reliable for use in both temporary and long-term traffic control zones.
Height and Size
In Australia and New Zealand, traffic cones for driveways generally need to be 700 mm (28 inches) in height or taller to ensure optimal visibility in traffic zones. The larger size helps ensure that the large traffic cones are visible from a greater distance, especially in areas with heavy traffic or limited lighting.
At OPTsigns, we offer standard 700mm safety cones, as well as 28 inch safety cones for your needs
Real-World Example: Traffic Cone Use in Australian Roadworks
In Australia, workers commonly use highway cones on busy highways during road maintenance projects. For example, during road resurfacing projects on a highway, crews strategically place traffic cones to divert traffic and prevent access to closed lanes. These safety cones need to be Classe 2 or higher for increased visibility, especially when roadworks occur during low-visibility hours, such as at dusk or in heavy rain.
The fluorescent orange color of the safety cones, coupled with reflective sheeting, ensures that drivers can clearly see the cones and adjust their speed and lane positions accordingly.
Key Differences Between MUTCD and AS/NZS 1906.1:2017
Similarities in Standards
- Reflective Sheeting: Both standards emphasize the importance of using retroreflective sheeting to ensure traffic cones are visible, especially at night or in poor visibility conditions.
- Color Requirements: Both the MUTCD and AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 require traffic cones to be orange, with fluorescent orange recommended for better visibility during daylight.
- Size and Height: Both standards recommend traffic cones be at least 28 inches (710 mm) in height to ensure visibility on the roadway.
Key Differences
- Regional Differences: The MUTCD applies specifically to the United States, while the AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 standard is used in Australia and New Zealand. These standards reflect the traffic management practices and regulations specific to each region.
- Retroreflectivity Classifications: The AS/NZS standard goes into more detail regarding retroreflective classifications, while the MUTCD provides broader guidelines without specifying detailed categories for retroreflectivity.
For top-quality traffic cones and reflective materials that meet both the MUTCD and AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 standards, explore the product range at OPTsigns.
Understanding the safety standards for driveway cones is essential for ensuring their effectiveness and reliability in various traffic control scenarios. Both the MUTCD in the United States and the AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 standard in Australia and New Zealand provide clear guidelines for the proper use of driveway cones, focusing on visibility, reflectivity, size, and durability. By adhering to these standards, traffic management professionals can ensure that driveway cones are not only safe and visible but also long-lasting and compliant with regulatory requirements.
