In nighttime construction scenarios, reflective traffic cones are crucial traffic facilities for ensuring safety in the construction area and guiding vehicles and pedestrians around obstacles. Their reflectivity directly determines the warning distance and safety—high-quality reflective cones can be recognized by vehicle headlights from a distance, giving drivers ample time to slow down and react; those with poor reflectivity are more likely to cause collisions. The differences in reflectivity among traffic cones on the market primarily depend on the material of the reflective film and the design of the reflective structure. Below, we analyze the reflectivity of different types of traffic cones in detail, considering the specific needs of nighttime construction, to help you accurately select the optimal choice.Which is better, rubber speed bumps or concrete speed bumps?
From the perspective of the core reflective component, the “reflective film,” mainstream reflective traffic cones can currently be divided into three categories: engineering-grade reflective film traffic cones, high-intensity reflective film traffic cones, and diamond-grade reflective film traffic cones. Among them, diamond-grade reflective film traffic cones offer the best reflectivity and are the first choice for nighttime construction; high-intensity film is second best, while engineering-grade is suitable for simple construction scenarios with lower reflectivity requirements.What
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s the difference between speed bumps and speed mounds?
Engineering-grade reflective film traffic cones are basic models with relatively weak reflective effects. They utilize the reflective principle of glass microspheres, refracting light through the microspheres to achieve reflection. Under nighttime vehicle headlights, the effective reflection distance is approximately 100-150 meters, and clear reflection is only achieved within a narrow angle range. The advantage of this type of cone is its low cost, making it suitable for short-term, low-traffic nighttime construction scenarios, such as partial repairs within residential areas. However, in high-traffic, high-speed main roads at night, its reflection distance and viewing angle are insufficient for safety requirements, making it easily overlooked by drivers; therefore, it is not recommended as a priority choice.Which is more durable, plastic or rubber traffic cones?
High-intensity reflective film traffic cones offer significantly better reflective effects than engineering-grade cones, suitable for most common nighttime construction scenarios. They employ microprism reflective technology, using the principle of total internal reflection through prisms to improve reflective efficiency. The effective reflection distance can reach 200-300 meters, and the reflection viewing angle is also wider, covering vehicle headlights at different driving angles. Meanwhile, high-intensity reflective film boasts superior weather resistance, resisting the erosion caused by dew, low temperatures, and light rain common during nighttime construction, and is less prone to issues like reflective layer peeling and fading. This type of road cone offers a balanced cost-performance ratio, suitable for nighttime construction on urban secondary roads and suburban roads with moderate traffic volume. It ensures effective warning while controlling procurement costs, making it the most widely used type currently.
Diamond-grade reflective film road cones achieve industry-leading reflectivity, representing the optimal solution for high-risk nighttime construction scenarios. Based on microprism technology, it optimizes the prism structure with a full-cubic-angle prism design, reflecting almost 100% of vehicle headlights back to the source direction. The effective reflection distance reaches 300-500 meters, far exceeding engineering-grade and high-intensity grades. Even in adverse nighttime weather conditions such as heavy rain and fog, its reflective penetration is extremely strong, allowing drivers to identify construction areas in advance amidst complex visibility conditions. Furthermore, diamond-grade reflective film offers superior wear resistance and UV resistance, making it suitable for high-risk scenarios such as long-term nighttime construction, high-speed main roads, and highways, including nighttime construction for highway reconstruction and expansion, and nighttime maintenance of overpasses. However, its cost is higher, approximately 3-4 times that of engineering-grade film, requiring careful selection based on the construction risk level and budget.
Besides the reflective film material, the reflective structure design of the traffic cones also affects their reflective performance. It is recommended to prioritize traffic cones with a “full circumferential reflective” design, where the reflective film is applied around the entire cone, ensuring 360° light reflection without blind spots due to angle issues. Additionally, choose products with a smooth, wrinkle-free application, as wrinkles disrupt the reflective path and reduce reflective efficiency. Furthermore, the color of the traffic cones should be well-matched; red or orange traffic cones offer higher contrast with the reflective film, further enhancing nighttime visibility.
In summary, the reflectivity of reflective road cones used for nighttime construction is ranked as follows: Diamond-grade reflective film road cones > High-intensity reflective film road cones > Engineering-grade reflective film road cones. When selecting a type, it’s necessary to consider traffic flow, speed, and weather conditions of the construction scenario: Diamond-grade is preferred for high-speed, high-risk scenarios; High-intensity is suitable for moderate-risk scenarios; and Engineering-grade is suitable for low-risk, simple construction. Furthermore, it’s crucial to choose products that meet traffic facility standards to ensure the reflective film meets quality requirements and truly guarantees traffic safety during nighttime construction.