What does an orange traffic sign generally indicate?

An orange traffic sign is specifically used to alert drivers to conditions related to road work or maintenance. This color is standardized across the United States to signify caution in construction zones, indicating potential hazards like lane closures, workers present, or equipment on the road. The use of orange helps to differentiate these warnings from other traffic signs, which use different colors for different purposes.

For instance, a speed limit sign would typically be posted in black and white to clearly communicate speed regulations, while school zone signs are marked in yellow to indicate areas where pedestrians, especially children, may be present and caution is needed. Yield signs are generally red and white, used to indicate that a driver must yield to oncoming traffic. Therefore, the context and established norms surrounding traffic sign colors make it clear that orange is a signal for alerting construction or maintenance activities occurring on or near the roadway.