“Smart cones” in Spain now warn drivers of roadworks in real time

The Spanish traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), is rolling out a new system of “conos conectados” (“connected cones”) designed to improve safety around roadworks and provide real-time information to drivers. The devices form part of a wider digital traffic network known as DGT 3.0, which aims to integrate roadside infrastructure with connected vehicle systems.

According to the DGT, the cones are equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) technology that allows them to transmit information about the location and status of roadworks directly to traffic management systems. Once activated, they send signals confirming when works begin and end, automatically generating alerts within the national traffic data platform.

The information is shared through Spain’s National Access Point for traffic data and the DGT 3.0 platform, allowing navigation systems, traffic authorities and connected vehicles to receive updates in real time. 

How the system works in practice

The connected cones function as digital beacons placed around temporary roadworks or hazard zones. When deployed, they register their position and communicate with the DGT’s central systems. This creates a live map of active roadworks across the road network.

The DGT states that this system improves both operational efficiency and safety, as it allows authorities to identify and broadcast incidents without delay. It also means that information about roadworks can be shared automatically with drivers before they reach affected sections of road.

In some cases, the system can also be used even when no workers are present on site, ensuring that hazards or temporary disruptions remain signalled to approaching traffic. The cones therefore act as both physical markers and digital transmitters within a wider connected infrastructure.

Safety improvements for workers and drivers

One of the main aims of the system is to reduce accidents in and around roadworks. The DGT has highlighted that roadside maintenance and construction zones remain a high-risk environment for workers, particularly on high-speed roads. By transmitting real-time data about active works, the cones allow traffic management centres to issue earlier warnings to drivers. These alerts can be displayed through variable message signs, navigation systems and other connected services linked to the DGT platform.

The authority says this improves situational awareness for drivers, giving them more time to adjust speed and lane position when approaching works. It also reduces the likelihood of sudden braking or late lane changes near work zones, which are common causes of collisions. For road workers, the system is intended to provide an additional layer of protection by increasing the visibility of their working area beyond traditional signage alone.

What it means for drivers in Spain

For road users, the introduction of connected cones represents a shift towards a more data-driven driving environment. Instead of relying solely on physical road signs, drivers will increasingly receive warnings through digital systems linked to their vehicles or mobile navigation apps.

In practical terms, motorists may be alerted to roadworks before they become visible on the road. These warnings could include information about lane closures, reduced speed zones or temporary diversions, depending on the data transmitted by the cones. The system is language-neutral at source, as the cones transmit standard traffic data rather than written messages, meaning alerts are then displayed through navigation systems or in-vehicle platforms according to the driver’s selected language.

In other words, a driver using an English-language navigation app will receive warnings in English, while the same alert will appear in Spanish for users with Spanish settings. The DGT infrastructure itself does not translate or generate text; it simply distributes real-time traffic data to connected systems.

The DGT has integrated this system into its wider mobility strategy, which focuses on reducing accidents through early information sharing rather than reactive warnings. Drivers using connected navigation services are expected to benefit first, although broader integration is expected to expand over time. However, the system does not replace traditional road signage. Physical cones and warning signs remain in place, with the connected version acting as a digital extension rather than a substitute.

Part of Spain’s wider digital traffic strategy

The deployment of connected cones is part of Spain’s shift towards developing intelligent transport systems throughout the country. The DGT has been developing its digital platform in recent years to improve how traffic data is collected, processed and distributed.This includes integrating roadside infrastructure with connected vehicle technology, allowing for faster communication between traffic authorities and drivers.

The aim is to create a network in which incidents, roadworks and hazards are reported and distributed automatically. Officials say this approach is intended to reduce delays in information flow and improve overall road safety, particularly on high-capacity routes where traffic conditions can change rapidly.

Gradual rollout across the road network

The DGT has indicated that connected cones will be introduced progressively, starting with selected roadworks and high-risk areas. Over time, their use is expected to expand as more contractors and infrastructure operators adopt compatible systems.

While the technology is still in an early stage of deployment, it forms part of Spain’s long-term strategy to modernise road safety infrastructure through digital connectivity.

For drivers, the change will be gradual but significant, marking a move towards roads where safety information is no longer purely physical, but continuously updated through digital systems linked to the national traffic network.