In any project involving construction, a traffic management plan is essential to the safety of site workers as well as the public. In Australia, traffic control is a process governed by Work, Health, and Safety legislation (WHS) as well as various standards including AS 1742.3. In this guide, we go over essential steps around designing a traffic control plan for construction sites.
Risk Assessment & Planning
As a critical phase of the process, traffic management plan drawing is carried out by a duly licenced zone planner, who is tasked with gauging potential hazards and scope of work. This is done by identifying important factors around the location such as visibility conditions, typical vehicle flow, and road speed. With a thorough and proper assessment it becomes much easier to implement a traffic management plan.
Developing a Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS)
A site’s TGS formalises the layout and planning of all temporary elements. These include:
- The work area which comprises the physical space taken up by project operations.
- An advance warning area with signs indicating to incoming motorists that a worksite is up ahead.
- The tapering transition area where aids like cones and lane change signage guide drivers into temporarily modified road configurations.
- A termination area informing drivers they are leaving the work area, and normal speed limits are soon to resume.
It’s worth noting that the TGS must specify in detail all signage, barriers, aids, and tools to be used. It must be submitted to as well as approved by the relevant road authority — which varies by state — before implementation and installation.
Site Briefing & Preparation
In order to ensure the environment and onsite personnel are ready, the qualified person-in-charge (PIC) must brief all workers and managers on identified hazards, the TGS, communication protocols, and emergency procedures. Site conditions must have been thoroughly inspected and the traffic management plan, construction PPE, and project timeline all approved by the relevant city departments.
Operation & Monitoring
Throughout the duration of the project, all control measures must be continuously monitored by the PIC, who may employ assistance from trained professionals such as from a trusted Australian security company. This is done to monitor the measures’ effectiveness around motorist behaviour, vehicle flow, and the potential for congestion.
Controllers are required to utilise standard safety equipment, including signalling equipment and high-visibility vests. This ensures their ability to effectively perform their duties while staying safe. Within a degree specified upon approval, PICs can make minor adjustments onsite to accommodate or adapt to developing issues. More substantial changes require documentation, consultation, and approval from road authorities.
Staying Within the Law
Carefully planned, drawn, implemented, and executed traffic management is an essential part of all construction operations. This is true regardless of whether they are oriented to buildings, infrastructure, or even renovations. Staying abreast of existing regulations, keeping close communication with road authorities, and appropriately briefing onsite personnel are all steps that make the difference between a successful project and an unsustainable one.
