Land Development Engineering

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  • 1.  Traffic Control Plans for development works on public roads

    Posted 17-02-2016 10:10

    Hope you can help

    I note that some Councils "approve" traffic control plans (TCPs) for works on public roads by contractors engaged by a developer.

    Is the road owner (Council) required to approve of these TCPs or is it acceptable to condition that they are to be prepared by an RMS licenced person & installed by RMS licenced person & audited daily by the contractor as part of their WH & S Plan for the site?

    Alternatively, if Council approves of the TCPs, the respective Council officers should have the appropriate RMS licence.

    Most recent training for this indicates that if Council does approve the TCPs in addition to reviewing & approving the TCPs we will also have to conduct risk assessments, review the site possibly morning & evening in addition to a number of other tasks.

    This will limit available resources from carrying out core tasks & increase Local Government Liabilities.

    Are any Councils that have had very recent involvement with the TCP training, concerned regarding these changes?

    Are you proposing to change processes or increase resources or both?

    Any comments greatly appreciated.

    regards        

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    Adam Mularczyk
    Team Co-ordinator Development Engineering
    Wyong Shire Council
    WYONG NSW
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  • 2.  RE: Traffic Control Plans for development works on public roads

    Posted 18-02-2016 12:56

    Personally, I only sight and review the traffic control plans. I do not issue "approval" as I do not wish to be held accountable or have to carry out audits. I expect if you discussed this with your Council solicitor, they would let you know that the Council's liability insurance does not cover us "approving" these plans.

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    Leon Ashlin
    Engineering Development Manager
    Sorell Council
    SORELL TAS

    Original Message
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  • 3.  RE: Traffic Control Plans for development works on public roads

    Posted 22-02-2016 11:43

    Under the current structure of the MUTCD in Queensland, the road authority should be approving the Traffic Management Plan (TMP), not the Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS's), as the TMP is where all of the parameters required to formulate and control the TGS's are set down.  All relevant issues should be addressed in here as relate to all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, out of working hours requirements, limitations due to community events etc..

    Once the TMP is approved, then it is the responsibility of the traffic management designer to produce TGS's that comply with the approved TMP.  TGS's should then be received for information only by the responsible road authority.

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    Geoff Thompson
    Director
    Thompson Consulting Engineers
    TOOWOOMBA QLD

    Original Message
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  • 4.  RE: Traffic Control Plans for development works on public roads

    Posted 22-02-2016 11:44

    Hi Adam, I hope you are well. Similar to Leons previous email and for Councils roads we only sight the Traffic Control plans as a requisite to the Developer commencing works.Some of the engineers have been trained for reviewing these plans but from a legal  liability perspective we do not approve TCPs.

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    Robert Barbuto
    StormWater & Development Manager
    Warringah Council
    DEE WHY NSW

    Original Message
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  • 5.  RE: Traffic Control Plans for development works on public roads

    Posted 22-02-2016 11:43

    Hello Adam

    I wouldn't approve the TCP, just as I wouldn't approve a sediment control plan.  They have to monitor and adjust as required by traffic ( or sediment and dust ) conditions so they get the required results. Safe, minimise disruption to other traffic, no sediment or dust off site.

    Approving a plan means they don't have to monitor and adjust, we were doing what Council said, blame them for our stuff up.

    We will often approve or stipulate a route for trucks from the site to the state road for larger developments, and see they have some TCPs.

    Also will reject TCPs that don't meet the Development Consent, such as taking out parking where they said they wouldn't as part of the DA.

    I am happy to tell them what I think is something that is not the best with the TCP, or that I would have differently on a TCP I prepared, but will only say they must meet the requirements of Traffic Control At Worksites Manual from R&MS ( for NSW ).

    As I can't control what they do, I am not going to take responsibility for it either.

    Rangers can usually get them for not following the route or times as well as for not following the submitted TCP.

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    Jim Turner
    Team Leader Design Projects
    GORDON NSW

    Original Message
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