6.5Traffic guidance provisions#

6.5.1General traffic control devices#

Traffic control devices and their use shall conform to the requirements of the Queensland MUTCD Part 3, QGTTM and such other additional Standards as may be issued by Transport and Main Roads. All traffic control devices shall be securely fixed in the correct position and maintained in an effective and clean condition suitable for day and night operations and any reasonably expected weather conditions, while employed on the work under the Contract. Devices which are damaged or worn, or which do not conform to the above requirements, shall not be used.

6.5.1.1Portable Traffic Control Devices (PTCD)#

PTCD shall be used in accordance with the QGTTM Part 3, Part 7 and TMWOR Chapter 5 Section 2. The Principal may mandate the use of PTCD in specific situations stated in Clause 5.1 of Annexure MRTS02.1

6.5.2Additional optional traffic control devices#

6.5.2.1Variable Message Signs (VMS)#

VMS devices (both transportable VMS and existing permanent VMS) may be used to supplement other traffic control devices, particularly in communicating complex arrangements to drivers. Their need should be determined through a risk assessment, either to supplement other traffic control devices, or as an alternative traffic control device when site conditions constrain a preferred TGS layout. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements for the use of transportable and existing permanent VMS installations stated in Clause 5.2 of Annexure MRTS02.1. Where they are used, the Contractor shall coordinate the operation of existing permanent VMS, with the operators in the traffic control room or traffic management centre as appropriate.

Prior to the operation of the transportable VMS at the site, the Contractor shall ensure that any previous messages on the VMS have been deleted and only messages, symbols and time schedules that have been approved for the site are programmed into the VMS. Refer to MRTS202 Variable Message Signs for the technical specification requirements for permanent VMS and to MRTS262 Transportable Variable Message Signs for transportable VMS.

6.5.2.2Use of police#

Police presence should be limited to those occasions where:

• a) a risk assessment indicates that their presence mitigates the need for other more costly measures, or
• b) the situation is stated in Clause 5.3 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

Where police officers are to be employed to assist in the control of traffic around or through the work site, the Contractor shall be responsible for making all necessary arrangements with the local Police Station, or relevant branch of the Police Service and for making all payments. Where Police are to be used to conduct enforcement activities on site, refer to Clause 6.5.2.3.

6.5.2.3Speed enforcement#

In addition to speed enforcement undertaken through Principal submission of speed limits for enforcement, in accordance with Appendix B, the Contractor may implement additional speed enforcement at roadworks sites to ensure that traffic speeds are in compliance with the posted speed limits. This may result in savings associated with the TMP, by being able to implement lower-cost solutions by not having to cater for higher vehicle speeds. Contractors wishing to implement site specific speed enforcement, would do so at their own cost and would need to make the necessary arrangements with the Police.

6.5.2.4Truck mounted attenuators (TMA)#

The use of TMAs should be limited to the following situations:

• a) in accordance with the requirements of the QGTTM and the TMWOR Chapter 4, or
• b) where a risk assessment indicates that their presence mitigates the need for other more costly measures, or
• c) the situation is stated in Clause 5.4 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

6.5.2.5Roadways Behaviour Monitoring System (RBMS) camera enforcement#

The use of an RBMS camera as a speed enforcement mechanism on site may assist with speed management to improve compliance with the reduced posted speed at roadworks. The RBMS camera deployment process, which is managed by the Principal, has been detailed in Appendix B. Where the Principal requires speed enforcement using an RBMS camera, the Contractor shall comply with the requirements for RBMS deployment stated in Clause 5.5 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

6.5.3Traffic route alterations#

6.5.3.1Specific requirements for construction under traffic#

When construction under traffic is permitted as per Clause 3.8 of Annexure MRTS02.1, the Contractor shall arrange its construction program and sequencing so traffic flow is maintained through the works in accordance with the requirements of this document and the QGTTM, as supplemented or amended by any requirements in Clause 5.6 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

6.5.3.2Specific requirements for detours#

In implementing the detour, the Contractor shall:

• a) inspect the route for adequacy for the entire length of the detour
• b) implement any parking or other restrictions required to allow the suitable flow of detoured traffic
• c) provide suitable directional signage and other infrastructure to guide motorists, and
• d) restore or arrange restoration as necessary, following cessation of the detour period to the approval of the relevant Authorities.

6.5.3.3Specific requirements for side-tracks#

Where redirecting traffic onto a side-track is permitted by Clause 3.8 of Annexure MRTS02.1, construction of the side-track shall comply with the requirements set out in this document and any additional requirements stated in Clause 5.7 of Annexure MRTS02.1. All aspects of the side-track design shall be signed off by an appropriately experienced RPEQ. Design and construction – design and construction of side-tracks shall comply with the QGTTM Part 3. Materials for construction of side-tracks shall comply with the provisions of the relevant Technical Specification.

Location and route – the location and route of side-tracks shall be in accordance with the details provided in Clause 5.7 of Annexure MRTS02.1 and/or as shown on the drawings.

Surface and clearing – the ground surface of the areas on which a side-track is to be constructed shall be cleared, grubbed and stripped of vegetation and any other undesirable matter. Such operations shall extend for not less than the full width of the surface formation of the side-track. Any tree, or other object within three metres of the edge of the side-track shall be removed, shielded or delineated.

Alignment – side-tracks shall be aligned, formed, graded, drained and maintained so as to provide for safe, comfortable passage of vehicles at the indicated speed limit. In general, not more than 4% surface cross-fall shall be provided.

Surface – the requirements for paving and/or sealing of a side-track, shall be as stated in Clause 5.7 of Annexure MRTS02.1, or the QGTTM Part 3. Where paving and/or sealing of a side-track is required, the Contractor shall prepare the side-track formation and carry out the paving and/or sealing operations in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Technical Specification and such other requirements as may be stated elsewhere in the Contract. Materials for construction of side-tracks shall comply with the provisions of the relevant Technical Specification.

Geometric requirements – the minimum geometric standards of a side-track shall be as specified in Clause 5.7 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

Where a side-track is used as a part of an overnight road occupancy (for example, crossovers on motorways between divided carriageways) only, the side-track may be designed for a lower posted speed. The Contractor shall ensure that the length of road, which the reduced speed is applied to, is as short as possible according to the QGTTM Part 3.

Width – the width of a side-track shall be as specified in Clause 5.7 of Annexure MRTS02.1. If the normal width of the road is less than six metres, suitable passing facilities, not less than 30 metres in length and providing an available width inclusive of the normal width of the road of not less than six metres, shall be located at minimum intervals of 800 metres along the side-track and at locations where sight distance is less than 100 metres.

Waterway crossings – unless the construction of special waterway crossings has been provided for elsewhere in the Contract, the form and design of waterway crossings along the route of a side-track, shall be determined through an appropriate risk assessment provided by the Contractor and approved by the Principal.

The risk assessment shall consider the consequences of flooding, the time of year and the traffic impact of road closures. When the waterway crossing design is based upon a rainfall Average Recurrence Interval that is lower than the current crossing, the Contractor shall advise this in their Offer.

The waterway crossing shall be constructed for the full width of the side-track. The edges of waterway crossings shall be signed and delineated effectively both day and night, in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland MUTCD, QGTTM and MRTS14 Road Furniture.

Traffic control – side-tracks shall be signed and delineated to ensure the clarity of the route.

Lighting – side-tracks shall be lit at the points of divergence from the existing roadway to comply with Clause 5.7, or at any other points where the driving task may be more difficult to comply with.

Reuse of side-tracks – where a side-track is to be reused, all temporary pavement markings shall be updated and/or removed as necessary to comply with the Contract.

Maintenance – side-tracks shall be maintained to the standard to which they were built and to always ensure safety of users. They shall be maintained such that:

• a) pavement markings or delineation is clearly visible at all times, and
• b) lane closures on the side-tracks only occur when maintenance is undertaken or traffic control devices are being moved.

Decommissioning – after a side-track has been used for the last time during construction, it shall be completely removed and rehabilitated. All temporary line marking used on any permanent road surface, including tie-ins on the approach / departure to the works that becomes obsolete, shall be obliterated from the permanent road surface and the site shall be restored to a condition equivalent to that existing before the side-track was constructed.

Any removed materials shall be disposed of in accordance with Clause 10 of MRTS01 Introduction to Technical Specifications.

6.5.3.4Implementation of traffic route alterations#

Pilot vehicles may be required to implement a traffic route alteration during the process of transferring vehicles from or to an altered route.

6.5.4Dust control#

The Contractor shall take adequate precautions to effectively minimise the generation of dust, which may affect the safety and general comfort of the travelling public, the Contractor's employees and/or occupants of adjacent buildings, during the construction of the work under the Contract. In this respect, the Contractor shall carry out regular applications of water or other palliative measures along the sections of the work traversed by the travelling public, as required, to minimise dust.

6.5.5Night work#

Only machinery fitted with reversing or other alarms, which adjusts the alarm sound output to no more than 5 dB above the surrounding noise level and an alarm sound output range of 85 dB – 115 dB, will be used to work from midnight to 6 am.

6.5.6Stored plant and materials#

Where plant or materials are stored on the site, the Contractor shall comply with the minimum clear zone requirements from QGTTM Part 3 Section 6.11. Any plant or materials stored overnight within nine metres of the edge of any trafficked lane, shall be delineated in accordance with the QGTTM Part 3, unless located behind a safety barrier.

6.5.7End-of-queue crash risk control measures#

End-of-queue risk control measures, in accordance with TMWOR Chapter 1, Clause 2 shall be used if either nominated as mandatory control measures in Clause 5.8 of Annexure MRTS02.1 or as required by QGTTM Part 3, Section 4.8.3. Guidance about the use of supplementary devices and methods to reduce speed and manage the risk of end-of-queue crashes, is provided in the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 Clause 4.23, QGTTM Part 3 and the TMWOR Chapter 1, Clauses 1 and 2.

6.5.8Delineation of trafficked corridors#

6.5.8.1General#

Where described in Clause 5.9 of Annexure MRTS02.1, direction hazard markers, temporary raised reflective pavement markers, line marking, reflective mesh fencing and/or other such delineation devices, shall be used in addition to the requirements of the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and QGTTM to delineate trafficked corridors.

6.5.8.2Materials#

Materials used for temporary pavement markings shall be subject to the approval of the Administrator. Only materials which can be removed without damaging the pavement surface, shall be used for temporary marking of the final pavement surface. Delineation shall consist of bollards, traffic cones, hollow plastic ballasted barrier elements, or mesh fencing, using a heavy, highly visible plastic safety mesh. When used as delineators, plastic water-ballasted TRSB shall comply with the requirements of QGTTM Part 3 Section 5.3.1. Stand-alone, non-interconnected lightweight modules, which do not meet the requirements for a TRSB, shall not be used as temporary delineators. Drums and cylinders, which can roll if dislodged by impact or wind, shall not be used as temporary delineators. Refer to QGTTM Part 3, Section 6.12 for the requirements of use of star pickets.

6.5.8.3Construction#

Under no circumstances shall temporary painted or thermoplastic line marking materials, or temporary raised pavement markers be used on the surface of a final pavement layer. Temporary pavement marking and temporary raised pavement markers shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of MRTS45 Road Surface Delineation. Temporary delineation devices shall not damage the surface of the works.

6.5.9Direction and street signs#

Where access to streets and side roads has been altered during the construction of the works, the Contractor shall supply and erect all such temporary signs necessary to assist the travelling public to find their way to such streets and roads.

6.5.10Work site access#

Vehicular access points to and from the work site shall be in accordance with the RPDM. Acceleration and deceleration lanes and tapers shall comply with the traffic volume, speed and sight distance warrants specified in that document. Cross section widths for acceleration and deceleration lanes should be a minimum of 3.2 metres.

6.5.11Temporary road safety barriers#

6.5.11.1General#

Temporary Road Safety Barriers (TRSB) shall be used to contain and redirect errant vehicles, to reduce the likelihood of them entering the work site. They may also be used to separate opposing traffic.

6.5.11.2Provision#

Provision shall be made for TRSB at the following locations:

• at those locations identified in Clause 5.10 of Annexure MRTS02.1
• at locations that meet worker safety requirements of the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and QGTTM Part 3, and
• at locations where a risk assessment determines that TRSB are the most appropriate method of separation between traffic and the work site or other hazards.

Where TRSB are shown on the drawings, the type, location of barriers and dynamic deflection zone shall be as shown on the drawings. Opposing flows of traffic may be separated with TRSB, with sufficient offset provided to reduce the likelihood that TRSB deflect into opposing traffic flow in the event of impact. When TRSB are used to protect the work site, the requirements to maintain a clearance zone behind the TRSB as specified in the Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and QGTTM Part 3, shall apply. The maximum dynamic deflection is specified by the manufacturer.

6.5.11.3Barrier types#

Only those TRSB which are included in the TMR Accepted Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices shall be used. Where TRSB are manufactured according to Transport and Main Roads Standard Drawings referenced within this document, they shall be manufactured in accordance with MRTS14 Road Furniture. Steel Beam Guardrail, in accordance with Standard Drawings 1474 and 1475, may be used instead of TRSB in some locations subject to the approval of the Administrator. End treatments shall be in accordance with Standard Drawings 1470, 1474 and 1475, or with an approved proprietary end treatment listed in the TMR Accepted Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices. Steel Beam Guardrail shall not be used for temporary erection where posts have to be installed through pavements which remain part of the permanent works.

6.5.11.4End treatments#

Provision shall be made to treat the approach and/or departure ends of both permanent and TRSB that are exposed to oncoming traffic, including barriers that are flared to terminate outside the clear zone.

Only those end treatments listed in the TMR Accepted Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices shall be used.

6.5.11.5Design of barrier system#

The performance of a TRSB system is dependent not only on the design of the barrier segment, but also in the correct design of the entire TRSB system including the minimum length of TRSB and the location and form of end treatments.

Any TRSB placement shall be designed in accordance with the requirements stated in:

• AS 3845 Road safety barrier systems
• MRTS14 Road Furniture
• Queensland MUTCD Part 3
• QGTTM Part 3 Clause 5.3.1
• Road Planning and Design Manual (RPDM) 2nd Edition, Volume 3, Part 6, and
• TMR Accepted Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices.

Care shall be taken at intersections to prevent visibility problems for motorists negotiating the intersection.

When a need for TRSB is identified, the barrier type shall be determined on the basis of:

1. a)the type, shape, deflection performance and test characteristics of the TRSB
2. b)the speed of traffic travelling through the work site, and
3. c)the clearance between the traffic and the work area.

6.5.11.6Installation#

All TRSB and end treatments shall be installed in accordance with the department's Standard Drawings and/or the manufacturer's specifications.

Water-filled plastic barriers shall be filled with water to the level specified in the manufacturer's specifications.

TRSB shall have recesses at their base to allow drainage at ground surface level under the barriers.

Only post / pin / anchor types that have been approved by Austroads and are included in the TMR Accepted Road Safety Barrier Systems and Devices are permissible for use.

The proposed post / pin / anchor type, quantity, and location shall be submitted to the Administrator (for approval) at least four weeks prior scheduled TRSB installation. At a discretion of the Administrator, these requirements may be exempted if the TRSB is installed on a temporary pavement that will be fully removed upon project completion.

6.5.11.7Maintenance#

The Contractor shall maintain TRSB on their correct alignment for the period that they are installed on the work site.

6.5.11.8Removal and reinstatement#

All TRSB and end treatments shall be removed in accordance with the department's Standard Drawings and/or the manufacturer's specifications.

The contractor shall fully remove the post / pin / anchor type from the work site after the designated installation period.

The contractor shall reinstate the post / pin / anchor hole to the satisfaction of the Administrator and Registered Professional Pavement Engineer of Queensland.

6.5.12Anti-gawking screens#

Anti-gawking screens are used to minimise visibility of the construction activities to the travelling public.

When the requirement for anti-gawking screens is identified in Clause 5.11 of Annexure MRTS02.1, they shall be installed where:

• so stated in Clause 5.11 of Annexure MRTS02.1, and
• where activities are being undertaken within 3.5 metres of the lane edge line and such activities are likely to cause traffic delays, or may be a visual distraction to drivers.

Anti-gawking screens shall be provided as per QGTTM Part 3 Clause 5.3.3 and TMWOR Chapter 1.

6.5.13Temporary road lighting#

Temporary road lighting shall comply with the requirements of the QGTTM Part 3.

Temporary road lighting shall be provided as stated in Clause 5.12 of Annexure MRTS02.1.

Existing lighting shall not be removed until temporary lighting, as required by the QGTTM or Clause 5.12 of Annexure MRTS02.1, is installed.

Temporary road lighting is typically required at conflict points and potential hazards to highlight the greater level of risk. These conflict points or hazards may include:

1. a)significant changes in carriageway width
2. b)changes from single to divided carriageway
3. c)converging and diverging traffic streams
4. d)crests and humps
5. e)curves below 100 metre radius, and
6. f)road sections with high night time crash rates.

Where temporary lighting is used, it shall include two spans of lead-in lighting in advance of the conflict point or hazard.

The Contractor shall install, operate and maintain the temporary road lighting installations for the full period during which the relevant road is required and/or until the permanent road lighting is installed and becomes operational.

Temporary road lighting shall be arranged in such a manner as to avoid creating levels of glare arising from shallow angles of incidence towards the drivers of vehicles using the adjacent traffic lanes. At no time, shall temporary road lighting be directed towards oncoming traffic.