Editing Traffic cone (section)

== Usage ==

=== Traffic management ===
[[File:GWB Bridgegate entrance Sept 2016.jpg|thumb|Cones in use at the "[[Fort Lee lane closure scandal|Bridgegate]]" entrance to the [[George Washington Bridge]] in [[Fort Lee, New Jersey]]]]
Traffic cones are typically used outdoors during [[Road#Construction|road work]] or other situations requiring traffic redirection or advance warning of hazards or dangers, or the prevention of traffic. For night time use or low-light situations traffic cones are usually fitted with a retroreflective sleeve to increase visibility. On occasion, traffic cones may also be fitted with flashing lights for the same reason.

In the US, cones are required by the US Federal Highway Administration's ''[[Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices]]'' (MUTCD) to be fitted with reflective white bands to increase night-time visibility. Reflective collars, white strips made from white reflective plastic, slip over cones snugly, and tape or adhesive can be used to permanently attach the collars to the cones.
==== Types and sizes ====
[[File:Traffic cones london.jpg|thumb|upright|Traffic cone on the right is used to indicate that no parking is allowed (UK)]]
Traffic cones are designed to be highly visible and easily movable. Various sizes are used, commonly ranging from around {{convert|30|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} to a little over {{convert|1|m|in|1|abbr=on}}. Typical traffic cones are fluorescent [[Safety orange|"safety" orange]], but other bright colors including yellow, pink, red, and lime green are also used, with the color depending on context in some countries. The cones usually have a retroreflective strip (commonly known as "flash tape") to increase their visibility at night.

In the United States, they come in such sizes as:
* {{convert|12|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1.5|lb|kg|abbr=on}} – for indoor/outdoor applications
* {{convert|18|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|3|lb|kg|abbr=on}} – for outdoor applications such as freeway line painting
* {{convert|28|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|7|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, (also called Metro cones for their use in cities) – for non-highway applications such as local streets 
* {{convert|28|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|10|lb|kg|abbr=on}} – for freeway/highway applications (with reflective stripes)
* {{convert|36|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|10|lb|kg|abbr=on}} – for freeway/highway applications (with reflective stripes)

In New Zealand, they are compliant in two sizes for use on all roads; these are:

* 35 in (900mm), up to 16.5&nbsp;lb (7&nbsp;kg) - for all activities on all roads. (with two reflective stripes)
* 17.7 in (450mm), up to 16.5&nbsp;lb (7&nbsp;kg) - for the protection of wet road markings only (with one reflective stripe)

=== Other forms ===
Cones are easy to move or remove. Where sturdier (and larger) markers are needed, construction sites use  [[Construction barrel|traffic barrels]] (plastic orange barrels with reflective stripes, normally about the same size as a [[55 gallon drum|200-liter (55 gallon) drum]]. When a lane closure must also be a physical barrier against cars accidentally crossing it, a [[Fitch barrier]], in which the barrels are filled with sand, or a [[Jersey barrier]] is used.

In many countries such as [[Australia]] and in some American states such as [[California]], traffic barrels are rarely seen; pillar-shaped moveable [[bollard]]s are instead used where larger and sturdier warning or delineation devices are needed. Typically, bollards are {{convert|1150|mm|in|abbr=on}} high fluorescent orange posts with reflective sleeve and heavyweight rubber bases. Larger devices such as [[barrier board]]s may be used instead of cones where larger areas need to be excluded or for longer periods.

=== Indoor and non-traffic use ===
Cones are used to lay out courses for autocross competitions.

Cones are also frequently used in indoor public spaces to mark off areas which are closed to pedestrians, such as a [[Public toilet|restroom]] being out of order, or to denote a dangerous condition, such as a slippery floor. They can be used on school playgrounds to limit areas of a playing field, and on ice rinks to define class, private party, or private lesson areas. Some of the cones used for this purpose are miniature, as small as {{convert|5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} tall, and some are disposable full-size cones made of biodegradable paper.

Being distinctive, easily portable and usually left unguarded, traffic cones are often [[Street sign theft|stolen]]. Students are frequently blamed, to the extent that the British [[National Union of Students (United Kingdom)|National Union of Students]] has attempted to play down this "outdated stereotype".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4640168.stm|title=Rowdy students 'must be tackled'|date=24 January 2006|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref>