Understanding Barricade Striping

Understanding Barricade Striping
June 2, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

Barricades are a common sight in construction zones, work areas, and emergency detours, but not all barricades are created equal. The orange or red diagonal stripes you see on barricades aren't just there for visibility - they actually convey important directional and safety information to drivers and pedestrians.

In this article, we’ll break down the meaning behind the stripes on Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 barricades, what “left” and “right” stripes indicate, and the difference between orange and red coloring.

Types of Barricades: Quick Overview

The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines three main types of barricades used for road and pedestrian control:

  • Type 1: One horizontal rail with diagonal stripes, used for low-speed or low-risk closures (e.g., sidewalk closures or short-term work).

  • Type 2: Two horizontal rails, often used on roads where traffic speeds are higher or visibility is reduced.

  • Type 3: Three horizontal rails, used for road closures, detours, and high-risk or long-term blockages.

All three types use retroreflective panels with diagonal stripes, which is where much of the informational value lies.


What Do the Stripes Mean?

Striping Angle and Direction

The angle of the stripes tells drivers which direction to go, or more accurately, which direction they should NOT go. The pattern is referred to as “chevrons” in many road manuals. Here's how to read them:

  • Stripes sloping downward to the right (like \\\): Traffic should pass to the right of the barricade.

  • Stripes sloping downward to the left (like ///): Traffic should pass to the left of the barricade.

This is especially important when barricades are placed in the center of the road, such as when lanes are split or when directing traffic around a hazard.

 Tip: You can think of the stripes as forming an arrow that "points away" from the safe side.

 

“Left” and “Right” Panels

Barricades are labeled based on the direction of the safe passage:

  • A “right panel” (\\\) means go right

  • A “left panel” (///) means go left

For example, if you're approaching a road closure with a detour to the right, you’ll see a barricade with right-sloping stripes guiding you in that direction.

 

Orange vs. Red Stripes: What's the Difference?

Most barricades you encounter have orange and white striping. But sometimes you’ll see red and white striping instead. Here’s what the color indicates:

  • Orange and White: Used for temporary traffic control, such as construction, utility work, or event closures.

  • Red and White: Reserved for permanent or long-term closures, or areas completely closed to traffic, including emergency or security-related access control.

According to MUTCD guidance:

  • Red signifies a more restrictive condition than orange. For instance, it might mark an area where entry is completely prohibited, not just discouraged.


Putting It All Together

Barricade Type Number of Panels Use Case Stripe Color Stripe Direction Meaning
Type 1 1 Sidewalks, short-term work Orange/White or Red/White /// or \\ Go Left or Go Right
Type 2 2 Higher-speed roads, visibility concerns Orange/White /// or \\ Go Left or Go Right
Type 3 3 Road closures, detours Orange/White or Red/White /// or \\ Go Left or Go Right

 

Understanding barricade striping helps both drivers and public works crews stay safe. These visual cues are designed to be understood at a glance, even by someone unfamiliar with construction practices. Whether you’re rerouting traffic or setting up a temporary barrier, make sure your barricades use the correct type, color, and stripe direction to avoid confusion and maintain compliance with MUTCD guidelines.

If you're working in municipal traffic control or construction, keeping your signage consistent and correctly oriented isn’t just good practice, it’s the law.