Multiphase construction projects are always challenging. There are multiple tasks to juggle, contractors to engage, and timelines and budgets to manage. It’s an endeavour that requires careful planning, and the right kind of traffic management plan is an essential element of success.
A multiphase construction project is a complicated, large-scale undertaking divided into several unique parts, each with its own set of tasks and goals. When the size or scope of a project makes it too difficult to complete all at once, it becomes necessary to break it into multiple phases. If you’re carrying out construction on or near a public road, you’ll have to contact the relevant road authority for traffic management requirements and guidelines.
In order to obtain consent for development, some projects are required to lodge a construction traffic management plan (CTMP) for approval. A CTMP is for safely managing the movement of both people and vehicles around the site and preventing accidents, damage and personal injury. A traffic control plan (TCP) helps traffic controllers safely and efficiently direct traffic around construction sites and includes both staff and equipment requirements. Both plans are essential for solid safety on a construction site.
Implementing a traffic control plan is not easy when you’re not trained in the area, and you have other day-to-day business tasks to attend to. That’s why SSTC can help you with flexible traffic strategies to ensure safety and efficiency during your multiphase project.
Creating a traffic management plan for a multiphase construction project requires considering multiple factors to ensure safety, efficiency, and minimal disruption.
Clearly outline every phase of the construction project, including the start and end dates and the scope of work required. Evaluate each phase's impact on the surrounding traffic.
Analyse the area’s traffic patterns and volumes. Design detour routes and plan for traffic control during peak hours to minimise delays and disruption.
Construction is one of Australia’s most dangerous industries, causing a staggering amount of deaths and injuries per year. It’s important to implement safety measures for workers, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, including the right kind of lighting, barriers and signage. Use clear and visible signs and place them well in advance of the construction site to give drivers plenty of time to adapt to changed conditions.
In NSW, any construction work near the road requires consent from the road authority before it can commence. Transport for NSW and local government are the road authorities whose approval you need.
It’s important to make sure all emergency vehicles have clear and unobstructed access to the construction area, and that’s something to coordinate with emergency services.
Construction work near roads can involve closures, detours, and noise, all of which can impact local residents and businesses. Minimise the effect your work has on your local community as much as possible and warn them in advance of your project.
Due to the complex and changing nature of a multiphase construction project, it can present several challenges to your traffic management plan. Some of the most common are:
Different stages of a multiphase construction project will have different traffic needs, requiring you to stay flexible and update your plans when necessary. A strong traffic management plan will have flexible traffic strategies you can adjust to the different needs of each phase.
Detour routes can become congested if they’re not designed to accommodate the increased level of traffic. It’s important to provide clear and effective signage and detour paths at each route.
When your construction work involves public roads, there’s the safety of so many parties to consider including workers and contractors, other drivers and pedestrians. Hazards range from moving traffic to work zone machinery to lane closures and other disruptions.
Complications like driving at night and in low-light conditions add another level of safety concerns to the traffic surrounding construction sites. Make sure that traffic control signs and signals are easy to spot and understand, and don’t neglect to provide reliable lighting if natural visibility is low.
There’s one factor that’s hard to account for and that’s driver behaviour. Some measures you can put in place to counter reckless, erratic or distracted behaviour from other drivers include implementing clearly marked detour routes, efficiently managing traffic flow and developing a contingency plan for responding to incidents.
A traffic management plan doesn’t just refer to cars on the road. It includes mobile plant equipment, delivery trucks and any other vehicles that have the potential for collision. Putting together the right traffic management plan involves conducting risk assessments, using traffic barriers and personal protective equipment, conducting appropriate testing and adjusting your plan as necessary.
There’s a fair bit involved in designing a traffic management plan that touches on every stage of a multiphase construction project. You’ll need to evaluate the construction site and surrounding area, plan out factors like PPE and safety measures on a phase-by-phase basis and regularly adjust the traffic plan as you switch from one phase to another.
If it all seems like a lot of work, SSTC is here to take the load off your shoulders. We can help you implement a traffic control plan and traffic management plan that ensures the safety of your staff and passers-by.
SSTC understands the importance of maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow during construction projects of all kinds, including the multiphase variety. That’s why our team of experienced traffic control experts can develop a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) and Traffic Control Plan to ensure both the safety of your staff and any passing road users and pedestrians.
Our CTMP will outline the measures and procedures necessary to minimise the traffic impact of your construction project. This includes factors such as traffic routing, detour plans and safety measures for cyclists. Our traffic control services include both the right kind of staff and equipment and measures like site inspections, CTMPs that follow relevant legislation, providing fully trained and accredited traffic controllers and coordinating with other contractors and stakeholders.
Plans and permits are essential for ensuring the safety of your workers, surrounding traffic and the public in general. Plans lay the foundation for your construction project to succeed. SSTC is a trusted name among many of Australia’s largest construction companies and can help you procure all the permits you need from the necessary authorities. We can also help you with all the plans you may need including construction traffic management plans, traffic control plans, swept path diagrams, authority liaisons and permit applications. Failure to procure all the right plans and permits can spell disaster for your project. Luckily SSTC can take care of it so you can get on with business.
If you’re ready for a traffic management plan that effectively addresses every stage of a multiphase construction project, contact the SSTC team for a free quote.