With more than one million deaths per year worldwide as a result of traffic accidents, staying safe on the road is always a priority. Sometimes construction projects and special events disrupt the regular use of roadways. In these cases, it’s important to implement a traffic control plan and a traffic management plan.
A traffic control plan (TCP) is a tool for ensuring the safety of all motorists, employees, pedestrians and others in the vicinity. While a traffic management plan evaluates the risks of plant and vehicle traffic in and around a site, a traffic control plan specifies the tools and methods necessary to manage them.
A traffic control plan is essentially a set of instructions in the form of a diagram that represents the conditions of the road and the temporary measures put in place to navigate it. It’s an important document that helps traffic controllers safely and effectively direct all traffic around potential hazards. The plan includes details on how to keep workers and traffic apart and any equipment needed.
Any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that will interrupt the normal operation of a roadway needs a traffic control plan. However, to implement a TCP in NSW, you need a Traffic Control Work Training card, while traffic control workers need the current certification required.
It’s easier to call in a trained professional who can draw up a traffic control plan (as well as a connected pedestrian traffic control plan) that can ensure the smooth flow of cars and people during your operations. SSTC’s Sydney traffic control plans are made for large-scale projects in a city that’s always on the move.
Australian roads are dangerous places. More than one hundred Australians die on the road every month, and 2,500 or more are seriously injured. Some Sydney roads rank among Australia’s most dangerous, which should come as no surprise in a city of this size and scale. The right traffic control plans in Sydney take this into account along with other traffic control factors, including:
The set-up and characteristics of the site and the road it’s on play important roles in developing a traffic control plan. The layout, geometry and width of the road, as well as features like intersections, crossings, markings and signage, all make a difference.
What is the size and scale of the project or event? Is it an ongoing operation or a one-off event? These factors influence the creation of your TCP.
You need to take into account any dangers present on both the road and the worksite, from heavy equipment to temporary obstacles to lane closures and detours.
The number of vehicles in an area and the flow of traffic impact the style and size of the traffic measures required, such as the number of signs and where they’re placed.
A traffic control plan needs to take into account emergency access routes for vehicles, as well as collaboration with local emergency services.
A TCP needs to take into account the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, including by providing clear signage, designated walkways and crossing points.
Considerations like wheelchair access and tactile surfaces should also be considered to ensure accessibility is in place for everyone.
TCPs vary in different ways based on several factors, including:
Different styles of projects like construction sites or major events require tailoring TCPs in order to address each one’s specific needs.
Whether city or country, the environment of the site or event has a major impact on the TCP.
The higher the traffic in an area, the more measures like multiple lanes and detours may be required.
The longer the project, the more extensive a TCP you’re likely to need.
The TCP will differ depending on whether the project takes place on a main road, an arterial road or a local street.
TCPs have to adhere to the safety standards of both employees and drivers, which can differ according to local hazards and regulations.
Collaborating with local stakeholders helps you construct a TCP that more effectively meets the needs of a community.
There are three general steps to managing traffic risks in the workplace:
To find out what the potential risk factors in your workplace are, start by looking at the areas where pedestrians and vehicles interact. Consider the floor plan of your workplace or event and review any incident and injury records you may have. Safe Work Australia has a traffic hazard checklist that can help.
While some risks might be obvious, a risk assessment is useful in many cases to identify risks that can fly under the radar. A risk assessment gives you some insight into how serious your workplace hazards are and what you can do to mitigate them.
Remove whatever risks you can from your workplace or event and, if possible, substitute the worst hazards for safer ones.
Make sure any safety standards are met and any control measures you put in place remain consistently effective.
While constructing the right traffic control plan looks different for every project, a good general framework is:
It’s a lot of work, which is why it helps to have a company like SSTC in your corner. SSTC can put together not only a traffic control plan in Sydney but also traffic management plans and pedestrian traffic control plans.
SSTC draws on over 25 years of combined experience to create an individual traffic control plan that meets each construction project’s unique needs, including construction schedules, road conditions and traffic volume. Our traffic control plans for Sydney involve using state-of-the-art equipment and technology to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and protect the safety of motorists, pedestrians and employees around your site. The equipment we can provide for safe and effective traffic control includes roadwork signs, cones, bollards, concrete barriers and more.
Our traffic management planning covers every aspect of traffic management from start to finish, including traffic control planning and design, signal installation and maintenance and roadway construction. Our traffic controllers are highly trained and fully SafeWork NSW accredited, and we have a fleet of Utes that are fully equipped for the task at hand. Our in-house planning division allows us to easily procure the right permits for your TCP and clear any legal issues with the relevant agencies. At the same time, our special event traffic control and emergency response teams ensure your plans proceed without a hitch.
If you’re ready to implement a traffic control plan that meets your needs, get your free quote from SSTC in Sydney.