Orange traffic cones, as available from trusted traffic product suppliers in South Africa, are often used at road accident scenes for the following reasons:
- To warn motorists of the stationary vehicles, debris, and potential injured parties on the road;
- To demarcate an area where the emergency workers can operate;
- To direct motorists around the accident scene; and
- To merge two lanes around the accident scene.
At an accident scene, it is imperative that the pylons be highly visible, sturdy, and not easily blown over by passing traffic. Appropriately sized, and specifically suited for the purposes mentioned, orange pylons are available from Armco Superlite – one of South Africa’s leading road cone suppliers.
Warning About Stationary Vehicles in the Road
Apart from vehicle accident scenes, the pylons are also placed behind and around stationary trucks on roads. The placement is usually in such a manner as to give enough time for drivers to see that a truck is stationary and to reduce speed and drive around it. In this sense, the traffic cones serve the following purposes:
- To warn the motorists of the potentially hazardous situation;
- To direct the motorists around the obstacle; and
- To give the truck driver or support team a demarcated area in which to work.
Reserved Spaces
Where parking spaces are reserved for VIP members, emergency vehicles or disabled vehicle users, it is often necessary to place pylons to prevent unauthorised usage of the spaces. In this sense the pylons serve the purpose of space reservation and to limit access to an area. However, the pylons can be removed or driven over without the action causing damage to the vehicle. The idea is not to stop a vehicle from using the space altogether, but rather to indicate that the area may not be used.
Stop-Go and Roadblock Applications in South Africa
South African road users are rather familiar with roadblocks where traffic officers place orange cones on the road surface to indicate where the motorists must stop. The pylons are used to channel the traffic into a specific lane for the purpose of inspection. The pylons used for this purpose can be bought from road cone suppliers in South Africa. The pylons are used in a similar manner for stop-go applications, where part of a road may be closed for maintenance. The cones are placed just before the stop area.
Construction Sites and Mines
The monster-size pylons, as available from bulk suppliers in South Africa, are large enough for good visibility at construction sites, mines, dam building sites and quarries where large vehicles and earthmoving machinery operate. The pylons come with heavy bases to prevent them from being blown over by the wind of passing trucks.
Sports and Other Events
Orange cones can also be purchased from the traffic pylon suppliers for applications ranging from events to sports training. For sports training, the pylons are placed as obstacles or to represent goal posts. The pylons are used to indicate the ticket lines at events or to demarcate driving paths towards temporary parking areas.
Warning to Shoppers
Pylons are often placed in front of hazards in public spaces such as shopping centres. Although the pylons cannot stop the pedestrians or shoppers from crossing, for instance, an area where oil has been spilled, they serve to direct attention to the hazard and to form a visible obstacle around which to walk. The orange pylons can therefore also be used as temporary means to block a path in an indoor setting.
Driving School Instruction
The pylons are widely used by driving schools to demarcate parking spaces, areas where to stop, and more. Traffic departments also use the pylons at the vehicle test and driver test areas for similar applications.
Prevent Motorists from Driving Over Wet Paint
The pylons are placed on both sides of the wet road surface marks to warn motorists about the wet paint and to prevent them from driving over the specific area.
Indicate Grass Cutting or Another Activity Next to the Road
Roadside maintenance crews, surveyors and cleaners often place the pylons on the road surface to give them a demarcated area in which they can work. The pylons form a removable barrier around which the motorists drive.
The latter are only a few of the main uses associated with traffic pylons. The devices are used for many other applications because of their high visibility and their ease of deployment. Some of the characteristics which make cones so useful include:
- Lightweight design
- Superb visibility
- Ease of deployment
- Small surface footprint
- Durability
- Affordability
Lightweight Design
The hollow design and the material from which the pylons are made add to the lightweight characteristics of the devices. Being lightweight, the pylons can easily be carried by one person. Indeed, the lightweight design makes it possible to carry several such cones without effort. It also translates into quicker placement when necessary. Transportation costs are lower because of the lightweight design. As the cones don’t weigh much, they don’t cause damage to a vehicle that hits it.
Superb Visibility
It is imperative that any warning sign, removable barrier or direction device be exceptionally visible. All the road cones available from Armco Superlite, as one of the leading suppliers in South Africa, are made to be highly visible. The Day-Glo is the most popular as it has a neon tone, making it extremely easy to see even in rainy weather. The visibility of the pylons can be increased through adhesive reflective strips.
Ease of Deployment
In any situation where people must place warning signs or devices on the road to redirect or channel vehicles, it is imperative that the deployment can be done quickly. The hollow design makes it possible to stack the cones and carry several at a time for quick placement, thereby considerably reducing the risk of accidents while placing them.
Small Surface Footprint
The pylons are designed to take up as little surface area as possible. This makes it possible to deploy the devices anywhere without taking up too much driving or walking surface space. With this characteristic, the pylons are thus safer than many other types of markers or warning devices. The hollow design that allows for stacking of the pylons, make it possible to store and transport many cones at once without the items taking up a lot of space.
Durability
The cones are made from material that cannot rust. The dense surfaces also prevent water droplets from clinging to the surfaces. The latter is important as pylons dry quickly after rains and thereby don’t provide for conditions that support mould growth. With the pylons made from UV treated materials, the products can be used in the harsh outdoor South African environment without premature cracking. Durability is an important characteristic as this implies a longer service life and cost savings in terms of having to replace worn or damaged units.
Affordability
Affordability is important considering how many pylons may be needed for road maintenance tasks, emergency services, sports or event applications, and more. Purchasing from bulk road cone suppliers in South Africa further helps to keep costs low.
Orange Cones Available from Armco Superlite
As one of the leading road safety products suppliers in South Africa, Armco offers products manufactured to meet the requirements of the Department of Transport.
The monster-size cones are usually bright yellow and are 1,8 metres in height for maximum visibility. Various colours are available, and clients can use the devices with reflective sleeves. The pylons are fitted with special holes to allow for fixing to the surface, where needed, in order to prevent movement. These types weigh 8,5 kg and come with base units measuring 1 metre in width.
The standard types available come with heavy base units to keep them stable, even in windy conditions. Although various colours are available, the standard Day-Glo orange is the most popular for traffic usage. The pylons are soft, don’t crack, and a UV resistant ink is used for colouring. The latter ensures fade-resistance. Affordable, durable, and easy to deploy, the units stack easily and don’t take up a lot of storage or transport space.
Various sizes are available, depending on the application needs of clients. The smallest measures 450 mm in height, 295 mm in width, and weighs 1,3 kg. The mid-size measures 500 mm in height, 290 mm in width, and weighs 3,4 kg. The largest of the three measures 750 mm in height, 410 mm in width, and weighs 4,5 kg.
Whether you require pylons for parking spaces, events, construction sites, road works applications or as emergency markers, you can get your supply from Armco Superlite, proudly one of the leading orange cones suppliers in South Africa.