Traffic cones are versatile signaling tools that are just as capable of guiding foot traffic indoors as they are at channeling vehicle traffic on a busy highway. They’re a cost-effective traffic control option that’s easy to deploy and highly visible for setting boundaries and marking off spaces. They’re helpful in both work and recreational settings, and the list below will give you a guide to some of their most common uses.

1. Construction Sites: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires a traffic control plan for moving vehicles in areas where workers are performing other tasks, and cones are approved by OSHA to help guide drivers and pedestrians through their work on a construction site. They’re also great for delineating different work zones on a busy or complex site, as well as establish points of ingress or egress to the site, which OSHA also requires. These regulations are in place regardless of where the work is being performed, but highway work sites have specific standards regarding traffic channeling as well as cone size.

2. Local Work Zone Safety: When work is being done on a residential or commercial street, cones can still be used to guide both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as well as to mark off workspaces and make them more visible.

3. Parking Control: Cones are frequently used in parking lots to block off restricted spaces, help define traffic lanes, and mark off particular types of parking spaces, including handicapped or reserved spaces, as well as spaces for specific vehicle types or emergency responders.

4. Sporting Events and Facilities: Cones, especially the smaller 12-inch variety, are a common site at sporting events and during practices. They’re used to divide up or outline play areas, and as markers or obstacles for efficiency and agility drills. This may not seem related to safety, but their visibility ensures clear, defined sections or lanes for athletes in sports as varied as football, basketball, soccer, hockey, volleyball, track and field, and cross country.

5. Recreational Settings and Events: Cones are an effective way to mark off spaces during fairs, festivals, concerts, and other events to help control foot traffic, or vehicle traffic where necessary. They can also be used effectively on sites with less foot traffic but a need for visibility, especially in low-light conditions: campsites and parks can use them to help mark pathways or areas with uneven ground, barbecue and campfire setups, or nearby vehicles and equipment.

6. Colored Traffic Cones: Some styles of cone go beyond the familiar orange and incorporate other colors for unique signaling purposes that go beyond highway usage. These colors have meanings designated by OSHA, as well as other common uses

• Lime Green: Used to mark off event entrances and areas with increased pedestrian traffic (commonly to delineate bike lanes from other traffic)
• Yellow: Used for general caution. When indoors, they often denote temporary hazards like wet floors, or active cleaning or repairs
• Blue: Designate accessible parking spaces. OSHA also recommends using them to alert people to necessary, non-urgent information like the presence of overhead structures or power lines
• Red: When not used for imminent danger, red is used to mark emergency equipment or to guide traffic for indoor machines

7. Collapsible Traffic Cones: These portable cones collapse into flat or folded shapes for easy portability. They’re useful to carry in the event of a car breakdown and can also be useful for quickly blocking off the site of an emergency or accident.