Traffic Cones and Channelizers
Traffic cones and channelizers form a physical barrier around a closed lane, shoulder, or sidewalk. Rice Signs carries the full range — orange PVC traffic cones in 12-inch, 18-inch, 28-inch, and 36-inch sizes, plus channelizer drums, channelizer tubes, grabber tubes, vertical panels, and cone accessories. Large channelizers are suitable for highway use, while grabber tubes and shorter cones are used on low-speed roadways, parking lots, and indoors. All are MUTCD-compliant, with reflective collar options for nighttime visibility.
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PVC Traffic Cones
Channelizer Drums
Channelizer Tubes
Vertical Panel
Grabber Tubes
Traffic Cone Accessories
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Get a Free Recommendation Call 1-888-728-7665Traffic Cones & Channelizers: Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes do traffic cones come in?
Our PVC traffic cones are available in 12-inch, 18-inch, 28-inch, and 36-inch heights. Shorter 12-inch and 18-inch cones are used indoors, in parking lots, and for marking; the 28-inch cone is the most common size for road and work-zone use; and 36-inch cones are used on highways and higher-speed roads where greater visibility is required.
How tall is a standard traffic cone?
The 28-inch cone is the standard height for most roadway and work-zone applications. For higher-speed highway work, a 36-inch cone is recommended for added visibility.
Why are traffic cones orange?
Traffic cones are fluorescent orange because the color stands out sharply against roads and surroundings in daylight and low light, alerting drivers to hazards and work zones. Orange is the MUTCD standard color for temporary traffic control devices.
What do different colored traffic cones mean?
Orange is the standard color for general traffic control and work zones. Other colors are used for specific purposes — for example, lime green for utility or pedestrian areas, blue for accessibility or valet, and red for emergencies — though color use varies by agency and jurisdiction.
What is the difference between a traffic cone and a channelizer?
A traffic cone is a cone-shaped marker used to guide traffic and mark short-term hazards. A channelizer — such as a channelizer drum, channelizer tube, or vertical panel — is a taller, more visible device used to separate lanes and channel vehicles through work zones for longer periods, and it provides a larger reflective surface than a cone.
Are your traffic cones reflective and MUTCD-compliant?
Yes. Our traffic cones and channelizers meet MUTCD guidelines for temporary traffic control, and reflective collar options are available so cones stay visible at night and in low-light conditions.
How much do traffic cones weigh?
Weight depends on size and base. Smaller cones weigh only a pound or two, while 28-inch and 36-inch cones use heavier weighted bases — often with add-on base weights — so they stay upright in wind and traffic wash.
