Temporary traffic management


On this page:

Developers and contractors are responsible for the safety of the workforce and public at their work sites.

Temporary traffic management measures, including directive barriers and signs, must be put in place to ensure people can travel safely through or around work sites.

Temporary traffic management plans

Temporary traffic management plans for construction and road work sites provide a means of assessing how road users will be affected by the works and what measures could be implemented to minimise disruption.

Factors to consider when developing a temporary traffic management plan include:

  • impacts on motorists including motorcyclists
  • impacts on pedestrians and cyclists
  • detours
  • night works
  • working adjacent to traffic
  • safety barriers
  • access to adjoining properties.

For more details please see the guiding principles for temporary traffic management plans (PDF 131.7 KB) and the process of submitting a temporary traffic management plan application (PDF 1.2 MB).

Fees and charges apply. Please see the fees and charges page for more information.

Changes since August 2020

Traffic management consultants and specialists should be aware of significant changes to the temporary traffic management process in Australia which came into effect in late 2019. These changes included:

  • Australian Standards introduced a revised Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 3: Traffic Control for works on roads
  • Austroads introduced a new set of Guides to Temporary Traffic Management: Part 1-10.

These documents provide better advice to practitioners and harmonise the national approach to traffic management. In doing so, they improve the safety for road workers and the public, provide greater opportunities for interstate working and improve career pathways within the temporary traffic management industry.

Application requirements

All temporary traffic management applications require the following documentation:

  • Traffic Management Plan (TMP): A document describing all essential traffic management matters associated with roadworks or road related areas (i.e. verges, paths, etc). This includes risk assessment, traffic demand and accommodation, traffic routing and control and provision for vulnerable road users and special vehicles such as buses, light rail vehicles or over-dimensional vehicles.
  • Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS): An arrangement of temporary traffic control devices to warn traffic and guide it around, through or past a work site or temporary hazard. A TGS is required for all stages of works. A separate TGS must be submitted for works during the day, night work, weekend work and any out-of-hours stages.

In addition, Roads ACT will also require the following documents to be provided where applicable:

  • Vehicle Movement Plan (VMP): A document which shows how construction vehicles will safely access and egress work sites. The VMP must also include the proposed haulage routes. This may be applicable where high volumes or frequency of movements occur during the construction phase (e.g. during demolition, excavation and construction activities) or areas where there are site constraints or limited access opportunities.
  • Construction Parking Plan (CPP): The CPP identifies where workers associated with a construction site will be able to park legally and in accordance with the Australian Road Rules.

Traffic control devices

Any road construction or building work that requires the removal, placement or replacement of traffic control devices, including guide signs, needs to be approved by Roads ACT. You will need to visit us with your proposed traffic control device location/relocation plans for comment or authorisation and submit a Traffic Control Device Transmittal Form (DOC 439.5 KB).

If you need to place or replace a guide sign you will need to complete a Traffic Control Device Sign Inventory Form (DOC 15.1 KB). You will need to detail the design aspect and dimensions of the affected sign(s) and the proposed location of the sign(s).

Upon the resolution of any issues the developer or contractor will be advised to submit final plans for final approval in hard copy and electronically in CAD format.

Traffic management at festive light displays

Festive light displays can attract large groups of visitors from outside the local area, especially if they are being held across multiple properties. This can result in increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

A temporary traffic management plan will be required if multiple properties on a street are planning to publicly advertise their displays to attract visitors. This may require traffic to be restricted to one-way movements. In extremely busy areas, the road may need to be closed to all traffic (except emergency services and disabled residents) to allow a safe environment for pedestrians.

If the ACT Government is made aware of public safety issues after a display has been installed, a temporary traffic management plan may need to be developed and implemented at the organiser’s expense or the display may need to be modified or removed to reduce the risk to the community.

If you are planning to hold a festive light display, please keep the display contained within your property boundaries wherever possible.

Paths must be free from obstructions at all times unless an alternative accessible path is provided and an approved temporary traffic management plan is in place. Please see the nature strip guidelines for more details.

All lighting or decorations must be set back at least 1.5 metres from the kerb line to allow space for pedestrians. Do not install temporary structures for lighting or decorations over footpaths. If the display will encroach onto public land (e.g. the road verge or nature strip), you must apply for a public land use permit.

Working in the light rail corridor

CMET (Canberra Metro Operations) operates and maintains the light rail corridor.

For any works proposed in the proximity of the light rail corridor, defined as the Operating Phase Area, a Permit to Work may be required. For more information please see CMET's information about permits (PDF 397.1 KB).

Any requests for information, including design considerations or work access constraints in and around the Operating Phase Area should also be directed to CMET via permits@cmet.com.au

Guidelines for works in the light rail corridor

Please note the following CMET guidelines when preparing temporary traffic management plans for works in and around the Operating Phase Area:

  1. Where possible all signage shall be placed on verges and not adjacent to the rail.
  2. Minimum offset for any signage to the edge of rail must be 1200 mm.
  3. A CMET Permit, lookout induction and general induction may be required if working on or close to the rail.
  4. Signage must be of suitable material, tied or secured to ensure it cannot blow or move into the path of a light rail vehicle.
  5. Change to pedestrian or traffic routes that cross or interfere with light rail will require a permit, including stop access.
  6. Changes to light rail traffic signalling operation (phase, duration, outage) will require a permit.
  7. Signs placed on or near the rail shall be installed for the minimum possible time.
  8. Signs shall not be placed on pits, covers or any other structure within the Operating Phase Area.
  9. Traffic management shall not restrict access to the Operating Phase Area at any time.

Apply for minor temporary traffic management

Roads ACT can authorise special vehicle access and parking in certain situations:

  • Vehicle access to open space where vehicles are not usually permitted. This will only be granted for access to events or vendor operations. Areas could include parks, reserves, gardens, easements or high pedestrian areas.
  • Temporary parking either on-street or in public car parks. This will only be granted for event access or trade contractor vehicles accessing a residential construction work site.

Please note: It is difficult to review and approve applications within short timescales. The required period for review and process is 5 working days. While we endeavour to review all applications in a timely manner, your application may not be approved if sufficient time is not provided to review the application.

Please apply for authorisation using the minor temporary traffic management application form (PDF 192.2 KB). The completed form should be sent to tccs.ttm@act.gov.au along with a good quality aerial image of the location. If you have an enquiry please contact 13 22 81 or email tccs.ttm@act.gov.au

Forms

Related links

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.