What is the purpose of traffic cones during highway construction?

Traffic cones serve a critical function in ensuring safety during highway construction by alerting and directing drivers away from construction zones. Their bright color and reflective surfaces make them highly visible, helping to draw attention to areas where construction activities are taking place. This visibility is particularly important in maintaining traffic flow, reducing the risk of accidents, and providing safe passage for both motorists and construction workers.

By guiding vehicles away from hazardous areas, traffic cones help establish temporary traffic patterns and delineate safe pathways, ensuring that drivers have clear guidance on where to navigate while construction work is ongoing. This role is crucial at various stages of construction, particularly in high-traffic areas, where the potential for confusion and accidents is greater.

Other options, such as assisting in road paving, marking locations for new signage, or supporting temporary traffic lights, do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of traffic cones, which is primarily focused on safety and traffic management in construction zones.