In Sydney, you need a traffic management plan (TMP) when you’re carrying out any work that impacts public roads or footpaths. This can include roadworks, special events, operating heavy machinery or even simple tasks like loading and unloading. While TMPs need to consider motor vehicles and bicycles, it’s important not to forget the impact on the general public and, in particular, the pedestrians who may cross your path.
There are lots of different terms and acronyms involved in addressing safety around worksites and events, but pedestrian management plays a role in all of them that can’t be overlooked. While a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) and a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) may sound like the same document, they actually serve two related but distinct purposes. A TMP is a comprehensive overview outlining all aspects of traffic control, while a TCP is a short-term blueprint detailing the use of traffic control devices. A TMP is a broad look at the bigger picture, while a TCP is a more focused examination of the practical aspects. A construction traffic management plan (CTMP) is a TCP that focuses on traffic management during construction-related activities.
In a city like Sydney, there’s sure to be people on the streets no matter what time of day you hold your event. An organisation like SSTC can help you with pedestrian traffic management that protects the safety of people both inside and outside of your site, no matter their mode of transportation.
Considering and planning for pedestrians is an essential part of any TCP, TMP or CTMP. This is known as pedestrian management. It’s a policy that involves implementing the proper safety measures to keep pedestrians and vehicles apart and to create a safe environment for pedestrians. The objective is to keep pedestrians (and everyone else in the vicinity) safe through strategic planning, traffic control and clear communication. This is important any time a worksite or event has an impact on the public in some way, including construction sites that involve work on public roads and special events that shut down the street to regular traffic.
This kind of planning helps keep pedestrians safe and move efficiently around obstructions while minimising the risk that they will collide with vehicles or each other. It also requires planning for pedestrian flow, especially during busy times, and adjusting to the current conditions.
There are several good reasons you can’t leave pedestrian management out of your traffic management plan:
Pedestrian planning helps to protect the safety of the public by ensuring that pedestrians have dedicated safe places to walk and that they cross the street at the safest possible moments.
By managing pedestrians, you also help keep the flow of traffic under control. Pedestrians crossing streets inappropriately or at unsafe times can disrupt traffic flow and add to the risk of accidents or congestion.
The primary duty of care in the model Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Act requires a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure workers and other persons are not exposed to risks to their health or safety. If pedestrians are injured in or around your event or worksite, you may be legally found to be negligent or to have breached your duty of care.
Everyone needs to be able to navigate public spaces easily, no matter what kind of events or diversions are in place. This includes mobility aids like wheelchairs and scooters. Factoring pedestrian management into your safety and traffic management plans gives you the opportunity to account for accessibility for everyone.
If you’re not sure where to begin with incorporating pedestrians into your traffic management plans, here are some tips:
It’s worth dividing your worksite into zones like pedestrian zones, shared zones and restricted zones. Physical or visual barriers should clearly differentiate walkways and work areas. When pedestrians and vehicles have to share space (e.g. at a designated crossing), it’s important to have enough safety measures in place.
Pedestrians should be able to travel along clearly marked walkways that don’t intersect with vehicles or equipment unless they absolutely have to. These walkways should be marked with signage to keep pedestrians going in the right direction and avoid confusion as much as possible.
Areas with high foot traffic, like entrances and amenities, should be pedestrian-only. All vehicles should be prevented from entering these areas both with physical barriers and monitoring.
Pedestrians should be prevented from entering designated vehicle or machinery zones with barriers, bollards, guardrails, chains, etc.
If possible, avoid areas where pedestrians need to cross roadways. If that’s not possible, make sure these areas are highly visible, well-lit and signposted so that both pedestrians and drivers know what’s going on. Integrate physical and audio traffic signals into these zones. Traffic control can monitor and direct both drivers and pedestrians so that they don’t cross paths. It’s dangerous to assume that pedestrians and motorists always see each other.
These designated areas are used by drivers, workers and pedestrians, so it’s important that proper risk management procedures are implemented in these areas. Loading and unloading zones should have pedestrian exclusion zones that are clearly marked with signs, witches' hats, reflective paint or physical barriers. Make sure you warn both motorists and pedestrians that loading and unloading are in progress.
You’ll have to create a new traffic management plan for every new site or event. For ongoing work at the same site, you need to regularly monitor your existing one. You’ll have to update your approach based on changes in the flow of vehicles, the conditions of the road and the responsibilities of your team. Regular reports will help you identify trends and strengthen your traffic management plan.
There’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to pedestrian traffic management. Fortunately, SSTC can take the stress off your shoulders and create a traffic and pedestrian management plan for you. Our services include the design and implementation of traffic control plans and construction traffic management plans, traffic control measures and emergency response traffic management. Our traffic control plans are designed to meet the unique needs of every project, including its construction schedules and traffic volume, and we use the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment to help us do this.
Safety is SSTC’s number one priority. As traffic management contractors, we’re trusted by some of the biggest construction companies in the country. With more than 25 years of combined experience, we help Sydney businesses with services like acquiring plans and permits, traffic management and security services. Our close relationship with the council and other local organisations makes it a simple process to acquire the right permits and help you adhere to legal regulations, while our traffic control services take a professional approach to traffic management through every stage of a project.
To find out more, call 1300 007 782 or get a free quote.