Better outcomes through better traffic management at roadworks
By Department of Transport and Main Roads
We all know vehicles speeding through roadworks sites represent a risk, not only to drivers, but also to roadworkers. It is not unusual to see many road users breaking the law when travelling through roadworks, ignoring the posted speed limits. This is common on sites where workers are not present, however it becomes more serious when workers are onsite. Recent research has shown road users are becoming desensitised to roadworks speed signs, with many not trusting their accuracy, or in some cases their legitimacy.
So what can we do about it?
Recognising and embracing this challenge, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has initiated an important project focussed on improving safety and customer experience through improving the quality of traffic management at roadworks.
The Traffic Management Improvements at Roadworks project is focused on the three ‘E’s of traffic management: Engineering, Enforcement, and Education.
To date the project has focussed strongly on the engineering element, updating and refining manuals and standards to set the framework for a step change in the approach to traffic management at roadworks. This has included recent updates to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Main Roads Technical Specification 02 – Provision for Traffic (MRTS02).
These updates better accommodate innovation in traffic management design, and seek to ensure that all schemes appropriately reflect a site’s specific needs associated with worker and traffic safety. They also give stronger emphasis to the role an RPEQ should play in developing innovative schemes.
Supporting these changes, the department is in the process of changing the training associated with the design of traffic management schemes. Replacing the old Level 3 Traffic Management training, the new Traffic Management Design training will be more comprehensive than previous training, and focus on the thinking behind what the traffic guidance scheme is trying to achieve.
Traffic Management Design requires significant prerequisite knowledge and experience, and is much more comprehensive. It covers more content, in greater detail, and requires two days to complete instead of the half-day required for the old Level 3 training.
At this stage the department has licenced two training organisations to deliver the course. To enrol in the new training, traffic management organisations or workers should contact one of these two organisations: Acquired Awareness Training Centre Pty Ltd or Evolution Training and Safety Pty Ltd.
To allow for the transition of traffic management personnel to this new qualification, TMR has extended the expiry of the Level 3 Traffic Management qualification until 30 June 2016.
Any traffic management personnel wishing to continue work in the design area beyond 30 June 2016 will have to complete the new training before the expiry date of the old qualification.
The department has also been working closely with the Queensland Police Service to develop appropriate enforcement strategies for roadwork sites that will reinforce the message that roadwork speed signs are enforceable and must be obeyed.
Getting the engineering and enforcement right at roadwork sites is the first step in developing and sustaining road work signage credibility with road users.
Future stages of the project will focus on supporting the required culture shift from road users, through education and developing an understanding of why it is necessary to slow down at roadworks.
For maximum impact it is important that all changes being developed by the department are consistently implemented across both state and local road networks. Road user experience needs to be consistent across the entire road network, statewide. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is only responsible for 20% of the road network, while the remaining 80% is in local government control.
Ensuring local government representatives are engaged in the current and future stages of the project is critical to success. By working together we can identify appropriate opportunities for local implementation.
Over the next six months members of the project team will be holding awareness sessions across the state, meeting with local government representatives and identifying opportunities to collaborate for project success. The department is very keen to get as many local government representatives along to these sessions as possible.
These awareness sessions are in addition to the ongoing consultation and collaboration with industry through the project’s industry advisory group.
If you would like to learn more about the project contact Coryn Hedges on (07) 30668646 or email coryn.j.hedges@tmr.qld.gov.au.