1Use of temporary variable speed limit signs in construction and maintenance work areas on motorways#
This section provides guidance for the use of Temporary Variable Speed Limit (TVSL) signs in construction and maintenance work areas on motorways and high-speed roads (speed limits of 80 km/h and above) in Queensland. TVSL signs are portable electronic variable speed limit signs and may be used, with local regulatory authority approval, on local government, state controlled and franchised roads.
This document applies only to TVSL signs conforming to Technical Specification MRTS260 Temporary Variable Speed Limit Signs.
This document shall be read in conjunction with the Queensland MUTCD and AGTTM. Unless otherwise stated in this supplement, all relevant Queensland MUTCD provisions are required. Queensland Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (QGTTM) inspection requirements also applies to TVSL signs and TVSL operations at road work sites. The department’s Engineering and Technology branch will collaborate performance on road work sites.
This section does not apply to:
- i.work sites on roads and tunnels with permanent VSL / LCS (for motorways, the current process is outlined in the Guideline for Traffic management procedures for tunnel closures (QGTM Part 9), or
- ii.use of TVSL signs for lane control, or to replace static advance roadwork warning or advisory signs, or as a VMS, or
- iii.use of VMS as TVSL or lane control, or
- iv.direct TVSL control by the Department of Transport and Main Roads Traffic Management Centre (TMC) via the Remote Sign Control System (RSCS) software.
TVSL signs can be placed throughout a road work site to readily allow a change of speed limits displays, for advance warning and guiding traffic, as per an approved TMP and an approved TGS.
Use of TVSL signs shall be included within the scope of the TMP submission and approval process as per MRTS02 Provision for Traffic.
1.1Display#
TVSL sign display shall conform to the Queensland MUTCD, QGTTM and MRTS260 Temporary Variable Speed Limit Signs requirements.
eTVSL sign display and real time fault alarm monitoring capabilities shall be provided.
To reduce the risk of unsafe and incorrect deployed TVSL sign displays at road work sites:
- The approach (advance buffer zone) TVSL sign/s shall only be able to display three frames:
- − the default posted speed
- − the appropriate temporary (advance buffer zone) speed, and
- − blank.
- These TVSL signs shall also be collocated with a TC1568_1 ‘when sign above is blank’ or, where paired, TC1568_6 ‘when signs are blank’. The TC1568 sign shall display the corresponding appropriate temporary (advance buffer zone) speed.
- The subsequent (work zone) TVSL sign/s shall only be able to display two frames:
- − the appropriate temporary (work zone) speed, and
- − blank.
- These subsequent TVSL sign/s do not require an associated TC1568 sign.
Repeater (advance buffer zone and/or work zone) TVSL sign/s, if needed, do not require an associated TC1568 sign. Repeater sign/s shall only display the appropriate temporary (advance buffer zone or work zone) speed that is specific to the TVSL sign placement.
1.2Placement#
TVSL signs shall be located in a manner that does not constitute a hazard to road users.
1.3Planning and operations#
In addition to the Queensland MUTCD and QGTTM requirements, the following requirements shall be included in the TMP and TGS, where applicable, for TVSL road work sites:
- interaction with the TMC, where applicable
- TVSL signs faults management
- identification (unique identifier) of the TVSL signs within the TGS drawing(s)
- responsibilities for configuring, installing, operating, and monitoring of TVSL signs
- TVSL displays for during work and after hours, and
- procedures for implementing site TVSL display changes.
1.4Faults management#
Refer to MRTS260 Temporary Variable Speed Limit Signs for conditions of fault management plans for road work sites operating with TVSL shall define the following conditions.
