It is important to plan ahead for traffic management. The requirement to attain the necessary traffic plan and permit for works involving traffic control – and the time that this takes – is often overlooked. Because you must have these before works can commence, this can delay proposed commencement dates and impact your work schedule as well as other contractors involved.
The best way to approach any works that are to be done in a public space is to assume this will affect either or all pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, and therefore you will need a permit to conduct any works. Council or Main Roads will need to be provided with a traffic plan that demonstrates how you will safely manage this. Only a certified and licenced Traffic Management Designer – TMD as defined in Queensland – or PWZ in New South Wales – is permitted to produce a traffic plan.
The type of traffic plan required will depend on whether the work is being carried out on a Council or Main Roads asset. Also, the scope of works can determine the type of plan and whether you will need more than one plan to address various work activities. The two plan types are a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and a Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS). To learn more about what plan you need click here.
You will require a Permit to carry out any works or events in a public space. Once the plan has been produced, it will need to be submitted as part of the permit application. It details the method of controls proposed to safely manage vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist interaction. Your permit submission will be assessed on this and crucial that the traffic plan satisfies both safety and traffic flow requirements effectively.
- Traffic Plan provided
- Permit received
- Traffic Control onsite
Every Council or Main Roads division has varying turnaround times for processing permits. These times can vary from 7 up to 28 business days. The rule of thumb is to get your traffic plan started first and as soon as possible once you have the full scope of your works.
By taking these steps, you can not only ensure the safety of workers and the public, but also minimise disruptions to traffic flow during the works.
For more advice or to get a quote for your project contact us here.
