Seemingly ordinary PVC traffic cones are actually the unsung heroes of road safety. Their bright colors, varying heights, and nighttime reflective strips—every detail contains profound safety science and engineering wisdom.
On daily roads, from construction sites to temporary traffic control, from parking lots to large event venues, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) traffic cones are everywhere. The design of these seemingly simple traffic facilities—their color, height, and reflective strips—is far from arbitrary; rather, it is based on scientific decisions rooted in ergonomics, environmental psychology, and optical principles.
01 The Psychology of Color: The Visual Language on the Road
The choice of color for traffic cones goes far beyond simply being "eye-catching." The internationally widely used orange-red (also known as international orange) has rigorous scientific reasoning behind it.
The human eye is most sensitive to light with wavelengths of 590-610 nanometers, and orange-red falls exactly within this range. This means that even in low-visibility conditions such as fog or rain, orange-red remains highly distinguishable.
According to the GB/T 24720-2009 "Road Traffic Signs and Markings" standard, traffic cones should use orange-red with an RGB value (255, 140, 0), and the color difference ΔE should be controlled within 3. This unified standard ensures that drivers can quickly identify and react to traffic cones encountered on different road sections.
Other colors are also used for special occasions: blue is commonly seen in airport areas, white is often used for urban roads, and red-and-white designs indicate higher warning levels, often used in high-risk areas.
02 Height and Size: Precise Calculations for Safe Distance
The height design of traffic cones is based on the driver's sightline height and safe braking distance. The seated eye-level height of an ordinary car driver is approximately 1.2-1.5 meters, while that of a truck driver can reach 2.5-3 meters.
Common traffic cone heights include 28cm, 45cm, 55cm, 75cm, and 90cm. Twenty-eight-centimeter cones are mostly used in indoor parking lots or low-speed areas; 45-55cm cones are suitable for urban roads; and cones above 75cm are used for highways and harsh weather conditions.
The choice of height directly affects early warning time: a 75cm traffic cone on a highway can provide drivers with an additional 2-3 seconds of reaction time—a critical window that often makes the difference in avoiding accidents.
03 Reflective Technology: Guardian of Life in the Night
Reflective strips are key to ensuring traffic cones function effectively at night and in low-light environments. Modern traffic cones use microprismatic technology or glass bead technology.
High-quality reflective films can achieve a coefficient of retroreflection (RA) value of 500 or higher. This means that when vehicle headlights shine on them, the reflective strips return most of the light directly to the driver's eyes, creating a bright warning effect.
The design of the reflective strips is equally meticulous: a 45-degree diagonal pattern ensures visibility from all angles, while a dual-strip reflective design provides redundant protection, maintaining the warning effect even if part of the strip is covered by dirt.
According to the EN 12899 standard, Class A reflective film should guarantee a coefficient of retroreflection of no less than 400 cd/lx/m² under conditions of a 30-degree observation angle and a -4-degree entrance angle.
04 Materials Science: The Performance Foundation Supporting Appearance
The realization of these appearance characteristics relies on materials science. Specialized PVC pellets must possess excellent color fastness, resist UV radiation, and ensure long-lasting color without fading.
Modified PVC materials must maintain good weather resistance and flexibility, withstanding exposure to high temperatures in summer without deforming and remaining elastic without becoming brittle in winter low-temperature environments.
The combination of reflective strips and PVC cone bodies requires special co-extrusion or bonding techniques to ensure they do not separate or fall off under various conditions. This demands excellent compatibility and bonding strength between the PVC pellets and reflective materials.
Environmental performance is also an important consideration for modern traffic cones. By using calcium-zinc stabilizers instead of traditional lead-based stabilizers and adding UV absorbers, the service life of traffic cones can be extended from 2 years to over 5 years, while also reducing environmental pollution.
05 Standards and Regulations: The Institutional Guarantee Behind Safety
Countries around the world have established detailed standards and specifications for traffic cones. Examples include China's GB/T 24720, the U.S.'s MUTCD, and the EU's EN 13422.
Post time: Sep-03-2025
