When differentiating roadbed, a variety of tools and designs are used. One of the most common devices is a road cone, the use of which opens up the possibility for the implementation of a whole host of important tasks. Products of this plan are included in the list of the most inexpensive and popular means of road marking.
Road cone: dimensions
Traffic cones are available in several sizes. The main parameter here is the height, according to which the following product options are distinguished:
- 320 mm
- 520 mm;
- 750 mm;
- 1000 mm;
- 1200 mm.
The most commonly used is the road cone 520 mm. Such products have an average height and therefore represent a universal tool that can be used to organize marking in a number of situations.
Production material
Modern road cones are made from a special fraction of polyvinyl chloride. Depending on the content of hardeners in its structure, manufacturers produce elastic and elastic devices. However, regardless of the stiffness of the cone, the above material copes well with significant mechanical stresses. Therefore, most vehicles in this category are not afraid of vehicle collisions, bumps and falls from a considerable height.
Polyvinyl chloride is not destroyed under the influence of low and high temperatures, atmospheric factors. Cones made from the presented material emit a minimal amount of harmful substances into the environment. Therefore, the use of cones in every sense is a safe solution.
Traffic cones are made by pouring molten material into special molding containers. The method is ideally suited for the production of products in large and small batches. Thus, manufacturers are able to produce cones, taking into account the requirements of individual customers and organizations, focusing on the specifics of the upcoming tasks.
Soft cone
Products that have a pliable structure are made on the basis of elastic polyethylene, which at the same time is able to maintain a stable shape. Their main advantage is the ability to restore the original design after the collision of vehicles. Soft road cones do not leave marks on the body, do not damage the wheels, underbody.
Elastic products are durable. Even after a few arrivals, such cones retain their original shape and can be reused when marking road canvases.
Hard cone
Devices with a rigid structure are distinguished by their dense construction. Unlike products of the previous type, such cones are subject to damage, for example, in contact with the car body or impact. However, rigid models are distributed at the most affordable cost. Therefore, they are in high demand in the market.
A road cone with a rigid structure, which has a cavity inside, is especially convenient. Due to the availability of free space, products in this category are extremely compact. They can be invested in each other, which helps to save free space in transport during transportation.
The orange road cone is light in weight. Therefore, if you wish, you can easily change the configuration of such a markup manually by moving the product to a new location.
The rigid plastic cone has the highest resistance to atmospheric effects, in particular, temperature changes, but it has a limited service life. Such means are used for marking the road for an average of 5 years, after which they are sent for recycling.
Cones with reflective stripes
The reflective traffic cone contains special strips with a fluorescent effect on the surface, which makes it noticeable in conditions of limited visibility under headlights. Means of this category are indispensable if necessary marking the territory of parking lots. They are widely used in the case of repair work on the roads at night.
Strips with a reflective effect are made from a special type of film. Its structure includes specific polymer particles that are not susceptible to atmospheric influences and at the same time give a bright glow when hovering the headlights. Such bands perfectly cope with signaling tasks and serve extremely long regardless of operating conditions.
In total, a traffic cone may contain up to three fluorescent bands. Usually their number is determined by the height of the product. If the cone has a size of 320 mm, it is enough to limit itself to the application of one strip. For products with a height of 520 mm, as a rule, two reflective strips are used. Accordingly, for cones with a size of 750 mm - 3 stripes. The higher the product and the more stripes on its surface, the more noticeable is the marking from a long distance. Therefore, dimensional cones are appropriate to install on sections of tracks that contain significant elevations and have irregularities.
Cones without stripes
The plastic road cone without reflective stripes has a bright orange color, thanks to which it remains clearly visible on the tracks, in the territory of parking zones, in other places where marking is required. Installation takes place simply on the ground or asphalt surface.
Features of a complete set
Road cone can be equipped with a number of auxiliary equipment. Often, such products are supplemented by an eye into which a chain, tape or cable is inserted to combine several marking elements into a single design. There are also models of cones, equipped with tape-reels, which are stationary mounted on the body of the product.
Complete set of road cones is also possible by weighting agents. The latter give markup elements additional stability. Especially often, heavier options are used when combining a set of cones into a single chain. In this case, the probability of displacing the line of protective equipment to the side under the influence of the air flow from passing cars or the blow of the wind is reduced.
Dimensional cones often have a water filling design. Filling the product cavity with liquid helps to mitigate the impact when in contact with vehicles.
Often when carrying out road works in conditions of extremely limited visibility, cones are required that contain a backlight in the form of a lantern, which is fixed on top of the product. Particularly practical means of this category in the demarcation of sites in the fog.
Fields of application
The plastic road cone can be used in the following operations:
- delimitation of territories;
- organization of repair activities at construction and installation sites;
- road works;
- distribution of flows during traffic on busy routes;
- creation of temporary marking;
- attracting the attention of road users to a dangerous, potentially emergency zone;
- designation of places intended for parking of vehicles, allocation of parking areas;
- demarcation of sites during mass events, in particular, sports;
- restricting car access to areas near educational institutions, kindergartens;
- informing road users about a painted, slippery section, the presence of damage to the roadway, the absence of covers for sewer manholes;
- creating markings for driving instruction.
Road cone: price
How much are cones on the Russian market? The price per unit with a height of 320 mm and without additional equipment is on average 100-200 rubles. The increase in cost depends on the type of cone, dimensions, the presence of reflective tapes and other additional components.
Benefits of using cones
Among the main advantages of traffic cones are the following:
- light weight;
- mobility;
- the ability to perform simple transportation in the car and moving products manually;
- good visibility in twilight and darkness due to bright colors, the presence of reflective stripes, other bright elements;
- wide availability;
- the presence of various sizes, shapes, dimensions;
- affordable cost.
Finally
The possibility of using cones for a variety of purposes, their equipment with a wide range of auxiliary means, affordable cost - all this led to a significant increase in demand for such devices. Currently, road cones can be purchased both at retail and in bulk. The latter option looks like a good solution for organizations that organize parking, as well as for companies that carry out repairs, provide services in the field of construction of structures. However, traffic cones can be useful to ordinary motorists, for example, when forced to stop in the middle of the highway.