1Introduction#
1.1Scope#
The Event Traffic Management Design Guidelines (ETMDG) provide guidance on traffic control measures and devices used to warn, instruct and guide road users in the negotiation of events on roads including footpaths, shared paths and bicycle paths adjacent to the roadway in a safe manner. It is applicable to traffic management for all types of events (see definition in Section 2.1) which cause interference or obstruction to the normal use of a road by any road user. It also provides guidance for the planning and design of traffic management arrangements with the aim of providing a safe traffic environment for event participants and spectators.
1.1.1Relationship to the temporary traffic management manuals and guidelines#
The Department of Transport and Main Roads' Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 3 and the Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (QGTTM) outline the requirements for traffic management for works on roads, and primarily considers construction and maintenance activities. While many of the principles are the same, neither the Queensland MUTCD nor QGTTM provides guidance about managing large numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and event-related transport. The temporary traffic management design solutions for work sites consider only risks associated with construction and maintenance activities.
The ETMDG are intended to provide guidance for the design and planning for event traffic management aspects that are not explicitly covered under the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 or the QGTTM. The ETMDG reference elements of the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and QGTTM where relevant and it is recommended that the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and the QGTTM be read in conjunction with these Guidelines.
The Guideline – Traffic Management at Works on Roads also provides information on the use of temporary traffic management devices.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet's Guidelines for Events in Queensland: Best practice guidelines for event delivery in Queensland also include guidance regarding event operations, logistics and planning in general. This document refers to the guidelines listed earlier and to Transport and Main Roads' website when considering traffic and transport aspects of events.
1.2Objective#
The primary objective of the ETMDG is to provide traffic management design competent persons (TMDs) with a framework for planning event traffic management in a manner that promotes the safety of event participants, event personnel, spectators and road users on and around public roads.
1.3Principles#
The key principles for traffic management at works on roads have been outlined in the QGTTM. The key principles for traffic management at events are similar, but event participants / spectators and event costs take the place of road works and construction costs.
A key objective is to differentiate traffic management arrangements at events from those at a work site, to make the nature of the activities and potential hazards clear to road users. It should also be clear to both participants and road users in which parts of the roadway the event is occurring.
A significant difference between road works and events is that traffic management personnel and site supervisors have a greater ability to influence behaviour of workers than event organisers are likely to have over event participants / spectators.
1.4Innovation#
Innovation should be encouraged at all stages of the event traffic management planning process when it results in better outcomes for the safety of the public, provides better value for money, minimises impacts to motorists and the public, or can be used to create unique event opportunities. Such innovations may include use of:
- the road network to facilitate event objectives that align with community demands and expectations (for example, for a publicly accessible street party)
- event branding / signage to complement traffic management objectives (for example, supplementing advance warning and advance notification, providing travel advisory notices and wayfinding and so on), and
- use of devices / combination of devices to distinguish events from road works.
1.5Roles and responsibilities#
Table 1.5 summarises roles relevant to traffic management for events, along with their responsibilities / functions.
| Role | Responsibility / function |
|---|---|
| Event organiser | The event organiser is the person principally responsible for organising the planning and logistics of an event, including the engagement of a TMD where required. |
| Event traffic marshal (ETM) | An event traffic marshal (ETM) is an individual authorised with temporary legal authority to undertake basic traffic control duties to direct traffic and road users in low risk environments during an event in accordance with the Event Traffic Marshal – Special Event Approved Procedure. |
| Parking assistant | Parking assistants may direct drivers / people at locations off the roadway (for example, provide direction in off-road parking areas). They are not authorised to control traffic on a road. |
| Police officer | Police officers are able to control traffic at signalised intersections, direct others to control traffic and direct road users in contravention of road rules in accordance with the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000. |
| Support vehicle driver | Support vehicle drivers perform event-related duties such as accompanying event participants (individuals or vehicles) moving along a roadway, or providing a ‘sweep’ function at the rear end of a mobile event. |
| Road infrastructure manager (RIM) | A RIM is a national, state or local government authority, or private road authority authorised to work in the road reserve. |
| Traffic controller | Accredited traffic controllers are able to stop or slow approaching traffic (on approaches 60km/h or less) in conformance with existing road rules. They cannot control traffic at signalised intersections, unless operating under police direction and the Traffic Controller Accreditation Scheme Approved Procedure. |
| Traffic management design competent person (TMD) | A TMD is a competent person (as defined by the Queensland MUTCD Part 3) who is appropriately qualified to design, develop, review and inspect traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes. |
| Traffic management implement competent person (TMI) | A TMI is a competent person (as defined by the QGTTM) who has, through a combination of training, qualification and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to correctly implement a traffic guidance scheme (TGS) as designed by the TMD. |
1.6Responsibility for safety#
The primary principle in developing traffic management plans (TMPs) and traffic guidance schemes (TGSs) is ensuring the safety of event participants, spectators, event personnel (including ETMs) and road users. All necessary steps should be followed during the planning stage to ensure that:
- road users and event participants are suitably warned of changed conditions, and
- the necessary protection, delineation, and illumination is provided to protect all road users and event participants.