7Type-2 Communication requirements#

Refer AS 4191 and Clause 7 of this document. Type-2 PTSS communication system shall comply with the requirements specified below and the requirements of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as per AS 4191.

7.1Type-2 Hand-held remote controller and Portable Traffic Signals#

Communication between the master controller, HRC and PTSUs shall be via a local wired connection or a wireless technology such as Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radio band or other reliable wireless technology. Wireless communications shall be encrypted.

The communications range between the PTSU and the master controller shall meet the operating range requirements for the works site that they are to be used on. Communications shall be reliable under all weather conditions for the required operating range.

Marking shall comply with the requirements of AS 4191, including the requirement that a prominent warning notice shall be displayed to indicate the limiting distance for reliable operation of the communications link.

The roadworks project contractor is responsible for ensuring that the Traffic Guidance Scheme for the work area is appropriate, taking into consideration the limiting distance for reliable operation of the communication link of the PTSS being used for the control of traffic.

Periodic 2 second communications (time-out period) polling message (heartbeat) shall be transmitted for the purposes of establishing whether a loss of communications has occurred. When a command is issued, a heartbeat message shall be broadcast. When loss of communications has been detected by the master controller, an alert shall be raised on the HRC.

Where a signal change has been requested on a PTSU, the signal change procedure shall be initiated within 250 ms of the request. The PTSU must acknowledge to the master that the signal change procedure has been initiated within 250 ms of the request being received.

7.2Type-2 Communications timeout#

If communications are disrupted with a Type-2 PTSS, the device shall comply with the requirements prescribed in AS 4191.

7.3Type-2 Communications identifiers#

The HRC, master controller and PTSUs shall each have a unique communications ID which shall be used to ensure messages are sent and received by individual units as intended.

Communications messages between the master controller, HRC and PTSUs shall include a checksum that is based on the message information exchanged to ensure integrity of the communication is upheld.

7.3.1Type-2 Portable Traffic Signal System ID#

Any communications messages transmitted shall embed each PTSU's respective ID.