Which device is effective for warning traffic at emergency highway scenes?

Traffic cones are specifically designed for alerting and directing traffic at emergency highway scenes. Their bright orange color and reflective materials make them highly visible, even in low-light conditions, allowing drivers to notice them from a distance. Additionally, traffic cones are lightweight and easy to deploy, enabling rapid setup at an emergency scene to establish a clear path for vehicles, helping to manage traffic flow safely around hazards.

In traffic management, cones create physical barriers or lanes to guide motorists away from the incident, ensuring the safety of emergency responders and preventing further accidents. This effectiveness, along with their easy transport and setup, makes traffic cones the preferred choice for warning traffic at emergency scenes.

Other options such as smudge pots and flagmen may have their uses but do not offer the same level of visibility and versatility as traffic cones in emergency situations. Traffic saw horses, while useful for marking, are not as widely deployed as cones for directing traffic effectively.