The primary purpose of using barricades and cones in a work zone is to guide drivers safely through the work area. These tools are essential for alerting drivers to changes in the road or potential hazards due to construction or maintenance activities. By providing clear visual cues, they help direct traffic in a way that minimizes risks to both drivers and workers on the site.
Barricades and cones create a controlled environment where drivers can navigate safely without entering restricted or dangerous areas. This guidance can include redirecting traffic, marking lane closures, or outlining safe paths through the work zone. The effectiveness of these visual aids relies on their capacity to communicate critical information about the work zone's layout and any necessary detours or adjustments to driving behavior.
While preventing vehicle entry is an important function of some barricades, the primary goal is more about ensuring safe navigation rather than outright prevention. The use of decorative elements in work zones is not a recognized purpose for barricades and cones, nor do they serve primarily to instruct drivers on speed limits, although they may be used in conjunction with speed limit signage.