When it comes to accepting a pallet shipment, there is a lot to know. If you have never done it before it can be quite a lot to learn in a short period of time. This is a quick recap on what you should be ready for.
Orange Traffic Cones
Shop orange traffic cones in 18", 28", and 36" heights for construction zones, parking lots, road work, and facility safety applications. Orange is the federally recognized standard color for traffic control devices under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), making it the required choice for most roadway and work zone applications. Our selection includes standard PVC cones, looper cone systems, and surface mount delineators, all available in the high-visibility orange that meets those requirements. Orders ship to the United States and Canada.
Why Orange Traffic Cones Are the Standard
The orange color used in traffic cones is not arbitrary. The Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices designates orange as the standard color for temporary traffic control, construction zones, and roadway hazard warnings. When a buyer specifies orange cones, they are typically meeting a compliance requirement, a jobsite specification, or a safety standard set by an employer, municipality, or DOT contract.
Orange also performs well from a pure visibility standpoint. The color sits in the warm end of the visible light spectrum, which makes it highly distinguishable against common backgrounds including gray pavement, green vegetation, and overcast skies. In daylight conditions, orange provides one of the highest contrast ratios against natural and constructed environments, which is why it became the standard in the first place.
If your application requires a specific color for compliance, permitting, or contract reasons, orange is almost always the correct specification for temporary traffic control.
Orange Traffic Cone Sizes and When to Use Each
Selecting the right cone height depends on the speed environment and the visibility distance required.
- 18-inch orange traffic cones are suited for lower-speed environments including parking lots, facility interiors, loading docks, and outdoor areas with pedestrian or slow-moving vehicle traffic. Their compact size makes them practical for deployments requiring large quantities.
- 28-inch orange traffic cones are the most widely used size for commercial applications. They meet the general visibility requirements for most work zone and parking facility uses and are the standard choice for contractors, facilities managers, and fleet operators who need a reliable all-purpose cone.
- 36-inch orange traffic cones are used in higher-speed roadway environments where a taller cone is needed to ensure drivers have sufficient lead time to react. Their additional height also provides a more stable profile in wind and at the edge of active traffic lanes.
Orange Looper Cones and Barrier Systems
Our orange looper cone and looper tube products extend the functionality of a standard cone by incorporating a ring or loop at the top that accepts barrier tape, rope, or chain. This allows you to run a continuous visible barrier across a defined area using the cones themselves as anchor points, eliminating the need for separate post systems.
The looper tube sits lower than a standard cone and is suited for applications where the tape line is the primary visual element. The looper cone provides full cone height combined with the ring attachment, making it appropriate for active work zones and perimeter marking where both the cone and the barrier line need to be visible.
Both products are orange and integrate seamlessly with standard orange barrier tape for a consistent, compliant appearance across the zone.
Orange Delineators for Permanent and Semi-Permanent Installations
When the application requires a marker that stays in place rather than a portable freestanding cone, our delineator options provide orange-visible, durable alternatives.
Traffic delineator posts offer a tall, narrow profile suited for roadway edges, parking facilities, and larger open areas where extended visibility is needed.
The Boomerang surface mount delineator anchors to pavement and is designed for long-term installations in drive lanes, pedestrian crossings, and parking facilities. Its flexible construction allows it to absorb vehicle contact without breaking, and its orange coloring maintains compliance with standard traffic control color requirements.
Surface mount delineators provide a lower-profile pavement anchor suited for facilities that need a permanent lane marker without the height of a full delineator post.
The Earthflex ground mount delineator inserts into soft ground for installations at roadway edges, medians, and unpaved areas where anchoring to hard surfaces is not possible.
Common Applications for Orange Traffic Cones
Road construction and work zones: Orange is the required color for MUTCD-compliant temporary traffic control. 28" and 36" cones with reflective collars are standard for lane closures, shoulder work, and equipment buffers.
Parking lots and facilities: Orange cones mark damaged pavement, blocked spaces, and active hazards in a color that drivers recognize as a warning. Surface mount delineators in orange are a common permanent solution for drive lane definition.
Construction sites: Orange cones mark exclusion zones around equipment, define pedestrian paths through active sites, and create visible buffers between worker areas and vehicle travel lanes.
Emergency and incident response: Orange cones are used to control traffic around accidents, spills, and road hazards because the color is immediately recognizable as a temporary warning marker.
Events and venue management: Outdoor events with vehicle traffic use orange cones to match the standard roadway color language drivers already recognize, reducing confusion at entry points and parking areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Traffic Cones
Why are traffic cones orange?
Orange is designated by the Federal Highway Administration as the standard color for temporary traffic control devices under the MUTCD. The color was selected for its high visibility against common roadway backgrounds and its distinctiveness from permanent signage, which uses other colors. Orange signals a temporary condition, alerting drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.
What sizes do your orange traffic cones come in?
We carry orange traffic cones in 18", 28", and 36" heights. The right size depends on your application. 18" cones work well in parking lots and lower-speed environments. 28" is the standard for most commercial and construction uses. 36" cones are suited for active roadway and high-speed work zone applications.
Do your orange cones come with reflective collars?
Select models include reflective collar bands. Individual product listings specify whether reflective collars are included. If your application requires reflectivity for nighttime or low-light compliance, check the product description or contact us before ordering.
Are your orange traffic cones MUTCD compliant?
Our 28" and 36" cone models are designed to meet the general size and color requirements referenced in the MUTCD for temporary traffic control devices. If your project requires documentation of specific compliance standards, contact us and we will confirm which products are appropriate for your specification.
What is the difference between an orange traffic cone and an orange delineator?
Traffic cones are freestanding and portable. Delineators are anchored to a surface or inserted into the ground for semi-permanent to permanent installations. Both are available in orange to maintain consistent color compliance across a traffic control setup. Cones are the right choice when flexibility and repositioning are needed. Delineators are better for fixed installations that need to withstand repeated vehicle contact over time.
Do you ship orange traffic cones to Canada?
Yes. We ship to both the United States and Canada. Contact us if you have a deadline-driven order and we will provide estimated lead times for your destination.
Order Orange Traffic Cones from Trans-Supply
Trans-Supply carries orange traffic cones, looper systems, and delineators built for work zones, parking facilities, construction sites, and road safety applications. Whether you need a small quantity for a single site or a bulk order for an ongoing safety program, our catalog covers the core orange traffic control products at competitive prices. Contact us with questions about specifications, quantity pricing, or delivery timelines.
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