Traffic Cone Standards Guide

Traffic cones may look similar, but the requirements are not the same in every country.

A 70cm cone that works for one market may not be suitable for another. Height, weight, reflective bands and even the way the cone is used can affect the specification.

This is something worth checking before you place an order, especially when buying traffic cones from China.

The easiest way to avoid mistakes is to start with the country and application, rather than the product itself.

What Do Traffic Cone Standards Usually Cover?

Depending on the country, the requirements may cover:

• Cone height

• Minimum weight

• Base size and stability

• Color

• Number and width of reflective bands

• Reflective performance

• Material or construction

• Application and road speed

Not every country regulates all of these points in the same way.

For some markets, height is the main consideration. In others, weight classes or reflective performance are much more important.

Traffic Cone Standards by Market

Here are some of the main markets we commonly see when discussing traffic cone requirements with buyers.

The important point is that one standard should not automatically be used for another market.

United States

For temporary traffic control in the US, one of the main references is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

For certain higher-speed and nighttime applications, the MUTCD requires traffic cones to be at least 28 inches (700mm) high. It also specifies requirements for retroreflective treatment.

This is why 28-inch / 700mm cones are common in the US market.

If a US customer simply asks for a "traffic cone," however, it is still worth checking the intended application and project requirements before quoting.

Europe

For European markets, EN 13422 is an important standard for traffic cones and portable road traffic devices.

One difference that buyers should pay attention to is the weight classification.

EN 13422 defines different weight classes according to cone height.

For cones between 750mm and 900mm, for example, the minimum weights for W1, W2 and W3 are 3.2kg, 4.0kg and 5.0kg respectively.

For 900mm to 1000mm cones, the corresponding minimum weights are 4.8kg, 6.0kg and 7.5kg.

So if a customer asks for an EN 13422 cone, the height alone is not enough.

The required weight class should also be confirmed.

This is one reason we don't recommend comparing traffic cones by weight alone without knowing the applicable standard.

United Kingdom

The UK uses BS EN 13422 for traffic cones, while road-work requirements are also covered by the UK's traffic management guidance.

For example, Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 refers to 750mm cones for certain road applications and requires cones to conform to BS EN 13422.

So for UK orders, it is useful to confirm both:

Which standard is required?

and

Where will the cones be used?

A cone for a low-speed road does not necessarily have the same requirements as one used on a major road.

Australia

Australia uses the AS 1742 series for traffic control, with AS 1742.3 covering traffic control for works on roads.

For Australian orders, we recommend confirming the requirements of the relevant road authority or project rather than simply asking a supplier for an "Australian standard traffic cone."

The actual specification can depend on the application.

Chile

Chile is a good example of how local requirements can be quite specific.

The Manual de Señalización de Tránsito, published by Chile's Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, gives requirements for cones used in temporary traffic control.

The minimum cone height starts at 70cm, but the required height increases with the speed allowed through the work zone:

The manual also specifies two white retroreflective bands, with each band at least 8cm high.

This is a good example of why the application matters.

The question isn't simply:

"Do you need a 70cm or 90cm cone?"

It is:

"What road is it being used on, and what is the permitted speed through the work zone?"

What about the 4.0kg requirement?

We have seen the specification 90cm / 4.0kg mentioned in discussions about Chilean traffic cones.

However, after checking the current official CONASET material, we would not describe 4.0kg as a general legal minimum for 90cm cones in Chile.

If a tender or customer specifically requires 4.0kg, that requirement should be treated as a project specification unless the applicable regulation is clearly identified.

This is an important distinction when quoting for government or road-work projects.

Canada

Canada is a little different because traffic-control requirements can vary between provinces and local authorities.

For example, Ontario has its own requirements for traffic-control devices. In some applications, conical devices must be at least 45cm high and have a white retroreflective collar.

So for Canadian customers, it is better to ask:

Which province or road authority is the project for?

rather than assuming there is one specification covering the entire country.

Height Is Only One Part of the Specification

One of the most common mistakes when buying traffic cones is to specify only the height.

For example:

90cm traffic cone

doesn't tell a supplier enough.

You may still need to confirm:

• Weight

• Base dimensions

• Base material

• Number of reflective bands

• Band width

• Reflective material

• Color

• Applicable standard

This is particularly important when comparing quotations from different Chinese suppliers.

Two suppliers can both quote a 90cm PVC traffic cone, while the actual products are quite different.

Weight Requirements Can Be Very Different

Weight is a good example.

In some markets, buyers simply choose a weight based on the application.

In EN 13422, however, weight is part of the standard's classification system.

That means:

A 4.0kg cone is not automatically an "EN standard cone."

You need to know the cone height and the required weight class.

The same applies when comparing Chinese suppliers.

A heavier cone isn't necessarily better if the additional weight comes from a different base material or formulation.

You can learn more about this in our Traffic Cone Weight Guide.

Don't Forget the Reflective Bands

Reflective sheeting is another specification that can vary considerably.

For example, Chile's traffic-signaling manual specifies two white reflective bands with a minimum height of 8cm.

US requirements have their own reflective arrangements for cones used at night.

So when requesting a quotation, don't just write:

Reflective traffic cone

It is better to specify:

• Number of bands

• Band width

• Reflective material

• Required performance or standard

For more information, see our Traffic Cone Reflective Sheeting Guide.

"International Standard" Is Not a Specification

You may see suppliers describe their products as:

"International standard traffic cone"

This doesn't tell you much.

There is no single standard that covers every traffic cone used around the world.

A better specification would be:

EN 13422

or

MUTCD requirements

or

According to the Chilean Manual de Señalización de Tránsito

The actual standard should always be identified.

Can One Cone Meet Different Standards?

Sometimes, yes. But don't assume it.

A manufacturer may be able to produce a cone that satisfies requirements in several markets. But the product needs to be checked against each applicable specification.

For example, an EN 13422 cone should not automatically be advertised as MUTCD compliant simply because it has a similar height and weight.

The same applies in reverse.

Standards should be checked, not assumed.

What Should You Tell Your Chinese Supplier?

Instead of sending:

90cm traffic cone

give the supplier as much useful information as possible.

For example:

90cm PVC traffic cone, 4.0kg minimum, two white reflective bands, for road-work use in Chile. Please confirm whether the product meets the project requirements.

Or:

750mm traffic cone for UK road works, BS EN 13422, W2 weight class.

This makes quotation comparisons much easier.

Traffic Cone Buying Checklist

Before placing an order, check:

Product

• Height

• Material

• Weight

• Base size

• Base material

Reflective

• Number of bands

• Band width

• Reflective material

• Reflective performance

Standard

• Country

• Applicable standard

• Road authority

• Project or tender requirements

Documentation

• Technical data sheet

• Test report, if required

• Certificate, if required

• Approved sample