Traffic Safety Cones for Roadways, Parking Lots, and Temporary Traffic Control
Traffic cones provide a fast, portable way to guide vehicles, protect work areas, and restrict access without permanent infrastructure.
SONCO offers both MUTCD-compliant traffic cones for public roads and standard traffic cones for private properties, helping contractors, municipalities, schools, warehouses, and event organizers select the right solution for their application.
Available in multiple heights, colors, and reflective configurations, our cones can also be paired with signs, cone bars, barricade lights, and retractable belts to create complete traffic control systems.
How to Choose the Right Traffic Safety Cone
Choosing the right traffic cone depends on where it will be used and how visible it needs to be.
MUTCD-Compliant Traffic Cones
Designed for roadway construction, lane closures, utility work, and other projects that must comply with traffic control standards.
Available with or without reflective collars.
Suitable for public roads and highways.
Meets MUTCD requirements.
Selected models are NCHRP 350 compliant.
Standard Traffic Cones
Ideal for private property where roadway compliance isn't required. Available in multiple colors to improve identification. Common applications include:
Parking lots and warehouses
Industrial facilities
Shopping centers
Schools and event venues
Choosing the Right Cone Height
Different cone heights provide different levels of visibility depending on vehicle speed and viewing distance.
18-Inch Traffic Cones
Best for parking lots, indoor facilities, warehouses, schools, sporting events, and other low-speed environments.
28-Inch Traffic Cones
The industry standard for construction sites, utility work, municipal projects, and temporary traffic control.
36-Inch Traffic Cones
Recommended for highways and high-speed roadways where drivers require maximum visibility from greater distances.
Slim Traffic Cones
A narrower-profile designed for areas where storage space, transport capacity, or tighter layouts are important without sacrificing visibility.
Traffic Safety Cone Accessories
Traffic cones become even more versatile when paired with the right accessories.
Cone Signs
Available with standard traffic messages such as directional arrows, Exit Only, and other common instructions.
Cone Bars
Create temporary pedestrian barriers or block off restricted areas by connecting two traffic cones in seconds.
Barricade Lights
When paired with an adapter, barricade lights can also be mounted on traffic cones to improve nighttime visibility in roadwork.
Retractable Belts
Transform traffic cones into portable queue management or access control systems without additional barricades.
Traffic Safety Cone FAQs
1. Which traffic cones are required for public roads?
A: Roadway projects typically require MUTCD-compliant traffic cones. Reflective collars and taller cone heights are commonly required depending on roadway speed and local regulations.
2. What's the difference between MUTCD-compliant and standard traffic cones?
A: MUTCD-compliant cones are intended for public roadway traffic control. Standard cones are better suited for private properties such as parking lots, schools, warehouses, and industrial facilities.
3. What size traffic cone should I choose?
A: 18-inch cones work well in low-speed areas, 28-inch cones are the industry standard for construction and traffic control, while 36-inch cones provide maximum visibility for highways and high-speed roads.
4. Do I need reflective traffic cones?
A: Reflective collars are recommended—and often required—for roadway work, nighttime operations, and areas where vehicles approach at higher speeds.
5. Can traffic cones be used to create temporary barriers?
A: Cone bars and retractable belts allow traffic cones to quickly create pedestrian barriers, restricted areas, and temporary access control points.
6. Are traffic cones available in colors other than orange?
A: Yes. SONCO offers cones in several colors for applications such as schools, warehouses, parking facilities, sports venues, and industrial sites where traffic regulations don't require orange cones.
