1Introduction#

1.1Overview#

The Event Traffic Marshal (ETM) scheme enables volunteers to undertake basic traffic control tasks associated with permitted special events such as community and sporting events held in Queensland. The ETM scheme is administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and is intended to provide sporting, community and special interest groups with an alternative option in circumstances where accredited Traffic Controllers may not be required for basic and low risk duties. An ETM has a delegated authority to conduct basic traffic control duties, but only in low risk road environments in the vicinity of the special event. To be engaged to control traffic during a special event, the ETM must have successfully undertaken a competency assessment and perform his or her duties in accordance with the Event Traffic Marshal – Special Event Approved Procedure (this document). Community and sporting organisations often require the assistance of volunteers to allow events to proceed smoothly, and to reduce the cost of staging events. Volunteers traditionally undertake various event tasks such as parking attendance; event set up activities; and pedestrian / spectator control; however, prior to the ETM scheme being introduced, volunteers could not provide assistance by legally controlling traffic to facilitate the event, unless they were accredited as traffic controllers by Transport and Main Roads, or acting under the direction of Queensland Police Service (Police officers).

1.2Purpose#

The purpose of this document is to provide information about the ETM scheme, and to specify the operational procedures and other requirements that must be complied with by ETMs and by Event Organisers who have been granted a Special Event Permit. This document is administered by Transport and Main Roads and describes:

• prerequisites to be an ETM, including physical capability, fitness for duty and clothing requirements
• processes for Event Organisers to engage ETMs and cancel an ETM’s engagement
• limitations and responsibilities associated with ETMs undertaking traffic control duties
• the requirements for ETMs installing official traffic signs related to traffic control
• the correct procedure for the use of the STOP / SLOW bat to control traffic
• the correct placement of signage.

This document will assist Event Organisers and Traffic Management Designers (TMDs) in understanding the requirements for ETMs.

1.3Authority and approvals#

Event organisers have an obligation to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to minimise danger to event participants, and to manage the impact of the Special Event on road users not taking part in the event.

Section 127 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015 (Accreditation Regulation) requires that Special Event Permit holders (Event Organisers) comply with conditions set out in the Special Event Permit. This includes complying with the approved Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) which sets out how traffic will be managed around the event, including the signage to be installed and where ETMs may be placed. The ETMs’ authority to control traffic is a delegation under Section 96(5) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TORUM Act). This authority only applies if the ETM controls the traffic in accordance with this Approved Procedure – as referred to in Section 126A of the Accreditation Regulation. A Queensland Police Service officer (Police officer) may issue a penalty infringement notice against a road user who has contravened an official traffic sign. The contravention is an offence against Section 74 of the TORUM Act. This means road users must not disobey a lawful direction or signal given by an ETM using a STOP / SLOW bat. Additionally, a driver or rider who does not stop, or does not remain stopped, at a lawful hand-held STOP sign commits an offence under Section 101 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Road Rules) Regulation 2009. Other relevant sources of information about Transport and Main Roads’ traffic management standards and legislated requirements for traffic control in Queensland, are available on the department’s website.