The safety cone was invented in the early twentieth century and serves multiple indoor and outdoor purposes. The cone is inexpensive, requires few resources for maintenance or placement and provides flexibility for users. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices put out by the US Federal Highway Administration mandates safety cones reflective collars so each cone is visible in low-light or nighttime situations.
The History
The safety cone’s invention was in 1914. American Charles Rudabaker invented the cone while Oxford’s David Morgan refined the cone’s design later, in 1961. While Rudabaker’s cone was constructed from concrete, today’s cone contains highly flexible and durable plastic. Reflecting collars and bright colors make the cone visible by drivers at high speeds in any number of weather conditions.
Road Construction
Road construction workers use the collapsible traffic cones to redirect traffic. A cone also serves to protect the lives of construction workers who are not in a position to see oncoming traffic while they are working. The easy setup and placement of a cone makes it ideal for short-term rerouting of cars into other lanes or onto road shoulders while construction is completed.
Safety Personnel
The traffic cone also redirects traffic around vehicular accidents and breakdowns. Firefighters, EMTs and police officers use the traffic cone to keep vehicles away from accidents to avoid interference with legal right-of-ways and evidence. When cars suffer flat tires or other breakdowns, a traffic cone warns other cars away and serves as a backup for hazard lights.
Hazardous Conditions
The traffic cone often marks hazardous road conditions. The traffic cone is often set up near potholes or other areas of natural or human-initiated road damage. At times, the traffic cone is set up at accident-prone sites to reduce the likelihood of collisions and injuries.
Indoor Uses
A cone has a number of other uses. Indoors, the safety cone marks off areas closed to pedestrians or warns people to beware of slippery conditions. Outdoors, some organizations use a cone to mark off parking lots or delivery zones. The cone may also mark off VIP areas during important events or reserved parking.
Visibility
Reflective collars allow cones to be seen in the dark. Collars are made from strips of white, reflective plastic and are either slipped over the top of a cone or held in place by adhesive or tape. Each 28-inch cone must have two collars and each cone measuring eighteen or fewer inches must have one collar. For the 28-inch model, the top collar must be at least six inches wide and placed no more than three to four inches from the top of the cone. The second collar must be a four-inch band and is placed no more than two inches below the top collar.
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