RAL Traffic Colours Explained
Understanding RAL Traffic colours, including Traffic Yellow, Traffic Orange, Traffic Red, Traffic Blue, Traffic Green, Traffic Grey, Traffic White and Traffic Black — and where these colours appear across temporary fencing, pedestrian barriers and traffic-related equipment.
If you've ever been asked for a "Traffic Yellow", "Traffic Orange" or "Traffic Grey" finish, the RAL colour system provides a precise reference rather than relying on broad descriptions such as yellow, orange or grey.
RAL colours are used to identify consistent shades across manufactured products, industrial equipment, transport products, signage and site equipment. Several colours within the RAL CLASSIC range have Traffic as part of their official colour name.
This guide explains the main RAL Traffic colours and, importantly, the difference between specifying a colour and specifying a suitable traffic, pedestrian or temporary fencing product.
Explore the RAL Traffic Colours
Select a colour below to see its RAL reference, official name and its relevance to temporary fencing, pedestrian barriers and site equipment.
Traffic Yellow
A strong, highly recognisable yellow within the RAL CLASSIC range, associated with traffic, safety and visibility applications.
What is the RAL colour system?
RAL is a colour identification system used to give manufacturers, designers, architects, engineers and customers a common colour reference.
Instead of simply describing a product as "orange", "grey" or "yellow", a RAL number provides a defined colour reference. This is useful when different manufactured products need to have a consistent appearance.
The RAL CLASSIC collection includes a broad range of industrial, safety and signal colours. Among them are a number of colours with Traffic in their official name.
A product supplied in a particular RAL colour does not automatically meet a particular traffic-management standard, roadworks requirement or safety specification.
The RAL Traffic colour range
The following RAL CLASSIC colours have "Traffic" in their official English colour name. Together they cover bright signal colours, neutral greys and contrasting black and white.
RAL 1023 – Traffic Yellow
A strong yellow associated with traffic, visibility and safety applications.
Explore pedestrian barriers →RAL 2009 – Traffic Orange
A vivid orange shade particularly familiar across temporary traffic and pedestrian protection equipment.
View pedestrian barriers →RAL 3020 – Traffic Red
A strong red within the RAL CLASSIC collection, used across transport, industrial and safety-related applications.
View red pedestrian barrier →RAL 5017 – Traffic Blue
A strong blue associated with traffic and signage applications.
View pedestrian barriers →RAL 6024 – Traffic Green
A vivid green within RAL CLASSIC and one of the colours with Traffic in its official designation.
Browse pedestrian barriers →RAL 7042 – Traffic Grey A
A medium neutral grey within the RAL Traffic colour group.
Explore temporary fencing →RAL 7043 – Traffic Grey B
A darker grey than RAL 7042, providing a deeper neutral appearance.
Explore temporary fencing →RAL 9017 – Traffic Black
A deep black shade within RAL CLASSIC, providing strong contrast against lighter finishes.
View site hoarding →RAL 7042 Traffic Grey A vs RAL 7043 Traffic Grey B
Traffic Grey is particularly worth understanding because there are two separate RAL colours with Traffic Grey in their official names. They should not simply be treated as interchangeable.
RAL 7042
Traffic Grey A is the lighter of the two Traffic Grey colours and provides a medium neutral grey finish.
RAL 7043
Traffic Grey B is the darker of the two, giving a deeper and more subdued grey appearance.
Ordering simply "Traffic Grey" could create ambiguity because both RAL 7042 and RAL 7043 are officially named Traffic Grey.
Does a RAL Traffic colour mean a product is compliant?
No. A RAL reference identifies a colour. It does not, by itself, establish that a temporary barrier, fencing system or traffic management product meets a particular standard or requirement.
For example, a product being orange does not automatically mean that it is suitable for every roadworks application. Likewise, specifying RAL 2009 does not by itself establish compliance with a particular traffic-management requirement.
Product selection should consider the intended application, location, pedestrian interaction, stability, construction, installation and any project-specific or authority requirements separately from colour.
What colour is required? Use the exact RAL reference.
What equipment is required? Check the complete product specification and application.
Where are RAL Traffic colours used?
Traffic colours can appear across a wide range of manufactured products and equipment. In temporary works, colour can help make barriers, fencing and other equipment visually identifiable, but the exact finish depends on the product and manufacturer.
Temporary fencing
Temporary fence panels are used to create defined boundaries around construction sites, events, compounds and restricted areas.
Temporary fence panels →Pedestrian barriers
Pedestrian barriers can separate people from works, define routes and assist with crowd management at events and temporary sites.
Pedestrian barriers →Site hoarding
Where a more enclosed temporary boundary is required, site hoarding provides an alternative to open mesh temporary fencing.
Construction site hoarding →RAL colours in temporary fencing applications
AB Temporary Fencing supplies temporary fencing, pedestrian barriers and site equipment for construction, events and other temporary applications. The colour is important, but it is only one part of selecting the right system.
Depending on the project, a temporary installation may include fence panels, pedestrian barriers, gates, ballast, couplers, stabilisers or other accessories.
Temporary Fence Panels
Temporary fence panels for creating defined site boundaries and restricted areas.
View temporary fence panels →Pedestrian Barriers
Barrier systems for pedestrian separation, crowd control and temporary routes.
View pedestrian barriers →Pedestrian Barrier Walkthrough
A dedicated pedestrian entry point designed to help control movement and queues at events and busy access points.
View pedestrian walkthrough →Pedestrian Gate in Anti-Climb Panel
An integrated pedestrian access point within a temporary fencing system for controlled site access.
View anti-climb pedestrian gate →Pedestrian Barrier Ballast Bag
A 10 kg ballast bag designed to provide additional stability for crowd control barriers.
View barrier ballast bag →Construction Site Hoarding
Solid temporary hoarding panels and associated gates for more enclosed site boundaries.
View construction site hoarding →Temporary fencing and colour specification
Temporary fencing is commonly supplied with galvanised finishes, but powder-coated options can also be available depending on the panel specification and manufacturer.
AB's Eco Standard Temporary Fence Panel, for example, is a galvanised steel mesh panel designed for short-term perimeter fencing. The product information also states that powder-coated panels are available on request.
This is where specifying the exact colour becomes useful. If a project requires a particular RAL finish, confirm the available finish with the supplier rather than assuming that a generic colour description corresponds to a particular RAL number.
Traffic Orange, pedestrian barriers and Chapter 8
Traffic Orange is particularly relevant when discussing temporary pedestrian protection because orange barriers are widely associated with temporary road and street works.
However, it is important not to confuse the colour itself with the requirements applying to a particular roadworks installation. RAL 2009 identifies a colour; Chapter 8 relates to traffic signs and road works requirements.
AB supplies both pedestrian barriers and temporary fencing products for different applications. For roadworks and street works, equipment should always be selected against the complete requirements of the specific application.
How to specify a RAL Traffic colour correctly
If a project requires a particular colour, giving the complete RAL reference removes much of the ambiguity associated with colour names.
Find the RAL number
Check the project specification for the exact RAL reference.
Choose the product
Select fencing, barriers or other equipment based on the application first.
Confirm the finish
Ask the supplier whether the product is available in the specified RAL colour.
Check requirements
For traffic and street works, check any additional project or authority requirements separately.
RAL Traffic Colour FAQs
What is RAL Traffic Yellow?
RAL 1023 is officially named Traffic Yellow within the RAL CLASSIC colour range.
What is RAL Traffic Orange?
RAL 2009 is officially named Traffic Orange within the RAL CLASSIC collection.
What is RAL Traffic Red?
RAL 3020 is Traffic Red within the RAL CLASSIC collection.
What is RAL Traffic Blue?
RAL 5017 is Traffic Blue.
What is RAL Traffic Green?
RAL 6024 is Traffic Green.
What is RAL Traffic Grey?
There are two RAL CLASSIC colours with Traffic Grey in their official names: RAL 7042 Traffic Grey A and RAL 7043 Traffic Grey B.
What is the difference between RAL 7042 and RAL 7043?
RAL 7042 is Traffic Grey A and RAL 7043 is Traffic Grey B. They are separate RAL colours, so the exact number should be used where a project specification calls for one of them.
What is RAL Traffic White?
RAL 9016 is Traffic White.
What is RAL Traffic Black?
RAL 9017 is Traffic Black.
Does a RAL colour mean a barrier is Chapter 8 compliant?
No. RAL identifies the colour only. The suitability and compliance of a barrier must be established from the complete product specification and the requirements applicable to the particular application.
Can temporary fencing be supplied in a specific RAL colour?
Colour availability depends on the individual fencing or barrier product and its manufacturing specification. If you require a particular RAL colour, confirm availability with the supplier before ordering.
Looking for temporary fencing or pedestrian barriers?
Once you've established the application and any colour requirements, explore the AB Temporary Fencing range of temporary fence panels, pedestrian barriers, gates and site equipment.
Temporary Fence Panels Pedestrian Barriers Construction Site Hoarding