Type 3 Barricades Replacing Drums?

Driving this past weekend I noticed that there was an immense amount of type 3 barricades.  They seemed to be everywhere, in front of arrow boards, next to traffic message boards, and just along the road next to a construction project.

I noticed that a lot of times the type 3 barricades were in spots where the traffic drums usually were.  I am not sure if this is a new trend or if it makes it safer?