Editing Traffic cone

{{Short description|Cone-shaped marker used for traffic management}}
[[Image:Cones.jpg|thumb|right|Traffic cones are usually used to divert traffic. The reflective sleeves are for nighttime visibility; the [[:wikt:boss#Etymology 2|bosses]] at the top ease handling and can be used for attaching [[caution tape]].]]

'''Traffic cones''', also called '''pylons''', '''witches' hats''',<ref>{{cite news|last1=McInerney|first1=Matthew|title=Footballer gets 15-year ban for witch's hat attack|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/northern-united-footballer-suspended-15-years/2326925/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625091315/https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/northern-united-footballer-suspended-15-years/2326925/|archive-date=25 June 2017|access-date=30 August 2017|work=[[The Toowoomba Chronicle|The Chronicle]]|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|date=22 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Parish|first1=Rebecca|title=No agencies own up as Killara locals search for witches hats owner|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/no-agencies-own-up-as-killara-locals-search-for-witches-hats-owner/news-story/eab2fc594730812ba96c45a820a0fa7e|access-date=30 August 2017|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|date=6 April 2017}}</ref> '''road cones''', '''highway cones''', '''safety cones''', '''caution cones''', '''channelizing devices''',<ref>{{cite web|title=FHWA – MUTCD – 2003 Edition Revision 1 Fig.6F-7-1 Long Description|url=https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2003r1/part6/fig6f-07-1_longdesc.htm|access-date=25 September 2018|publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]}}</ref> '''construction cones''', '''roadworks cones''', or just '''cones''', are usually [[Cone (geometry)|cone]]-shaped markers that are placed on roads or footpaths to temporarily redirect [[traffic]] in a safe manner. They are often used to create separation or [[lane|merge lanes]] during [[road construction]] projects or [[Traffic collision|automobile accidents]], although heavier, more permanent markers or signs are used if the diversion is to stay in place for a long period of time.

==History==
Traffic cones were invented by Charles D. Scanlon, an American who, while working as a painter for the Street Painting Department of the City of Los Angeles, was unimpressed with the traditional wooden tripods and barriers used to mark roads which were damaged or undergoing repainting. Scanlon regarded these wooden structures as easily broken, hard to see, and a hazard to passing traffic.<ref>{{cite web|title=INTERSTATE RUBBER PROD. CORP. v. RADIATOR SPECIALTY CO.|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/1954760214F2d546_1587|work=United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. 214 F.2d 546 (1954)|access-date=13 December 2013}}</ref> Scanlon's rubber cone was designed to return to an upright position when struck by a glancing blow. The patent for his invention was granted in 1943.<ref>{{cite web|title=US Patent US2333273 A|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2333273|access-date=13 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trafficsafetystore.com/traffic-cones/history|title=History of The Traffic Cone|year=2014|publisher=Traffic Safety Store|access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref>

Traffic cones were first used in the United Kingdom in 1958, when the [[M6 motorway]] opened. These traffic cones were a substitute for red lantern [[Kerosene|paraffin]] burners being used during construction on the Preston Bypass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tprts.com/tpr_traffic_solutions_cones.html|title=Cones|publisher=TPR Traffic Solutions|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>  David Morgan of [[Burford]], [[Oxfordshire]], UK believes that he constructed the first experimental plastic traffic cones in 1961 while working at [[Imperial Chemical Industries]], which replaced pyramid-shaped wooden cones previously used.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NDtK62KVHtQC&q=Traffic+cone+history+David+Morgan&pg=PA49|title=Eccentric Britain, 2nd: The Bradt Guide to Britain's Follies and Foibles|year=2005|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|pages=49–51|isbn=9781841621227|access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>

In the United States on May 1, 1959, the [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]] in [[Oakland, California]] adopted the policy of placing orange safety cones at the left front and left rear corners of their service trucks while parked on the street to increase visibility and safety for the workers. This policy was implemented as the result of a suggestion by their employee, Russell Storch, a cable splicer. He was awarded $45 for his suggestion. This policy is still in use today.<ref>PG&E file number 761.1, Suggestion number 1-1759 a letter dated May 1, 1959 from PG&E awarding Mr. Russell Storch an employee of PG&E $45.00 for his suggestion of the use of the cones</ref>

Modern traffic cones are usually made of brightly colored [[thermoplastic]]. [[polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] from bottles can be [[Recycling|recycled]] to make traffic cones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.eb.com/eb/article-82494|title=Plastic|year=2010|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|access-date=25 February 2010|quote=PVC recovered from bottles may be used in traffic cones}}</ref>

== 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>

== In popular culture ==
[[File:Wfm duke of wellington.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Duke of Wellington]] statue, with cone (and reserve cones on standby)]]
In 2007, artist [[Dennis Oppenheim]] commemorated the traffic cone with a monumental sculpture of five 20' (six metre) tall cones. They were installed temporarily in [[Miami]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Scope Miami-2007 |date=10 December 2007 |url=http://joannemattera.blogspot.com/2007/12/fair-factor-art-miami.html |access-date=2009-02-12}}</ref> Seattle's [[Olympic Sculpture Park]],<ref>''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', [http://www.seattlepi.com/visualart/365089_cones30.html "Oppenheim's big cones are a caution"], May 29, 2008</ref> and [[Seoul]], [[Korea]].

An orange-and-white cone is the [[logo]] used by [[VideoLAN]] (best known for its [[VLC media player]] software).

[[German music|German]] group [[Kraftwerk]] featured traffic cones on their [[Kraftwerk (album)|first two albums]], as well as in their concerts at the time.

Traditionally, but unofficially, the [[Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, Glasgow|Wellington Statue]] in Glasgow is decorated with a traffic cone. The presence of the cone is given as the reason the statue is in the [[Lonely Planet]] 1000 Ultimate Sights guide (at number 229) as a "most bizarre monument".<ref name="planet">{{cite book|last=Bain|first=Andrew|title=Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Sights|year=2011|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Footscray, Vic.|isbn=978-1742202938|edition=1st}}</ref>

=== Television ===
''The Traffic Cones'' is a Belgian TV series on [[Nickelodeon]] created by [[Pascal Adant]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mon-programme-tv.be/actu/19600/Un-dessin-anime-belge-sur-Nickelodeon.html|title=Un dessin-animé belge sur Nickelodeon|date=June 6, 2010|website=mon-programme-tv.be|language=fr|trans-title=A Belgian cartoon on Nickelodeon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608031527/http://www.mon-programme-tv.be/actu/19600/Un-dessin-anime-belge-sur-Nickelodeon.html|archive-date=June 8, 2010|access-date=2016-06-17}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Div col|small=yes|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Amsterdammertje]]
* [[Bollard]]
* [[Cones Hotline]]
* [[Construction barrel]]
* [[Road traffic control]]
* [[Traffic barrier]]
* [[Traffic guard]]
* [[VLC Media Player]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Traffic cones}}
* [[wikt:traffic cone]]
* [https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices]

{{Road types}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Traffic Cone}}
[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:Road safety]]
[[Category:Road transport]]
[[Category:Safety equipment]]
[[Category:Streetworks]]
[[Category:Traffic signs]]
[[Category:1914 introductions]]