Any party undertaking work on a road shall prepare a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that adequately provides for the safety of workers and road users while maintaining an adequate level of service to road users. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, is your TMP compliant? Be sure to check these 6 key items we cover in the article!
All workers on site have a duty of care to the safety of all road users and road workers. Ensuring your TMP is compliant is the responsibility of all workers, in particular the traffic controllers and workers on-site implementing the Traffic Management Plan.
Main Roads WA Code of Practice Works on Road states the following;
“Any party undertaking work on a road shall prepare a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that adequately provides for the safety of workers and road users while maintaining an adequate level of service to road users. Traffic management planning should be undertaken in accordance with the AGTTM Part 2: Traffic Management Planning.
To ensure a consistent approach is taken when developing a TMP one of the Main Roads TMP templates (see here) shall be used as a basis for the development of the plan. Any section headings that are not applicable to the TMP being developed shall be kept in the document and noted as not applicable (with the intent of keeping the TMP section numbers the same throughout all TMPs).
All TMPs shall be prepared by a person holding Main Roads accreditation in Advanced Worksite Traffic Management (AWTM).”
Be sure to check these 6 things next time you are preparing or implementing your TMP.
1. Has your TMP been authored by an accredited AWTM?
As per Main Roads WA Traffic Management for Works on Roads Code of Practice Section 4.2
“All TMPs shall be prepared by a person holding Main Roads accreditation in Advanced Worksite Traffic Management (AWTM). A person holding Main Roads accreditation in Worksite Traffic Management (WTM) may make on-site adjustments to the TMP in accordance with its scope and objectives (following any adjustment the residual risk shall not be higher to workers or road users).”
To ensure your TMP has been authored by an accredited Advanced Worksite Traffic Management (AWTM) person you can check their Main Roads accreditations via Main Roads WA Graduate Search. The graduate search is the only official register for Main Roads WA accreditations.
* example taken from Main Roads WA Graduate Search showing a current and accredited AWTM person details.
2. Is your TMP current?
Do not get caught out with a Traffic Management Plan that has expired! Be sure to check currency of your TMP and ensure that it is not out of date.
For generic TMPs they will be valid for up to a period of 12 months and these dates are generally stated on the TMP front cover.
For site–specific TMPs they will be valid for a specific date or date range only and these details contained within the TMP. In addition to checking the TMP, it is important to check if and what is contained from the relevant road authority approval that has been provided.
3. Is your TMP prepared in accordance with the Main Roads WA TMP template?
Main Roads WA have mandated the use of a standardised TMP template for all TMPs designed and used in WA, with the main objective to create a consistent approach (and make it easier for the end user implementing them daily). The TMP template must be used in its standard format and sections can not be removed, however, you can add on additional content where required at the end of the document. The latest TMP template can be downloaded click here.
4. Is your TMP generic?
For routine/repetitive type works such as minor pavement maintenance, a generic TMP may be appropriate. If you are implementing a generic TMP be sure to check these things.
- Ensure you are very aware of the scope of situations covered by the generic TMP. There may be occasions where the generic TMP is not suited for the scope of work;
- Where the TMP is used on more than one occasion or at a number of generic locations, continuous improvement must be considered. This will ensure the quality of traffic management is maintained or improved where required;
- Generic TMPs will contain generic Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGSs) with no specific location information and may be applicable for use at a number of locations. It is recommended a selection procedure is defined within the TMP to assist the onsite BWTM in the selection of the correct TGS for the road type, road environment and the type and location of works to be undertaken (for example on shoulder or in lane). An example TGS selection checklist is located on the Main Roads website;
- TMP’s must be kept up to date taking into account changes in; traffic volumes, vehicle types, the road environment, work practices, legislation and/or standards; and
- As a minimum, TMPs should be reviewed at least once in any 12-month period.
5. Have relevant authorities and stakeholders been notified of the roadworks?
Before roadworks commence, it is necessary to seek road authority authorisation and approval for the proposed TMP and works. Within the TMP there is a section for approvals.
- Confirm you have checked all necessary approvals are obtained and are clearly available within the TMP;
- Ensure all notifications completed are retained on file as evidence of being completed; and
- Make sure notifications are completed within sufficient notice eg newspaper adverts published giving enough notice, letter drops to local residents well prior etc.
6. Does the TMP cover more than one shift of work?
If so, has an after-care Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) been provided for when there are not workers not site? Be sure you check these things with your next TMP.
- Aftercare details and relevant TGSs must be included in your TMP;
- Tip (don’t forget) – all redundant equipment must be removed from the site or placed in a safe, secure location within the worksite; and
- Records retained showing what TGS/s was implemented and who/when conducted the close down inspection prior to leaving site.
Tools and Helpful Links
- Traffic Management for Works on Roads Code of Practice
- Traffic Management for Events Code of Practice
- Traffic Management Plan (TMP) Template
- Event Traffic Management Plan (TMP) Template
- Checklist to Determine the Need for Generic or Site Specific TMP
- Example Onsite Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) Selection Checklist
- Traffic Management Daily Diary Template
- Event on Roads Daily Diary Template
Summary
Is your TMP compliant? Be sure to check these 6 key items next time you are designing or implementing your TMP.
Take the hassle out of worrying if your TMP is compliant and meets all requirements. We have a team of Traffic Planners who can design all types of TMPs from roadworks, events and non-complex or major complex planning. Request a quote.
Or perhaps you just want someone independent to come in and review your TMP and give you the peace of mind all areas are covered – we can help with that too!
Do you need training?
AusQ Training offer a range of courses to assist you in the traffic management or construction industry, in Perth, Bunbury and all over WA – to view our range of public training courses [click here] or view our calendar here.
Make a time to chat to one of our Customer Support Team members [here] to discuss your traffic management training needs.
