3CONTEXT#
Traffic incidents that significantly affect traffic flow are occurring more frequently and causing increasing disruption. These incidents result in congestion and delays for road users, reduce the reliability of travel and have safety impacts for incident and emergency responders and the travelling public. Traffic congestion imposes significant costs on the community (including private and commercial motorists) and the environment. The Bureau of Transport and Regional Economic (2006) estimates the cost of congestion in Brisbane to hit $3.0 billion in 2020. Some estimates have attributed around 25% of congestion to traffic incidents (FHWA). As vehicle travel increases and peak periods extend, becoming longer and more intense, traffic incidents pose a great risk to the reliable operation of the network. On strategic, high-traffic routes, incidents such as vehicle breakdowns and crashes, while potentially causing physical, financial and emotional trauma, also have the potential to create a multiplier effect where one incident causes congestion often resulting in secondary incidents, which causes further congestion and delays.
Given the impact that traffic incidents and other road blockages have on traffic congestion, there is an overriding public need to quickly and efficiently clear all types of hazards or obstructions from our roads to ensure the roads operate efficiently. However, due consideration needs to take account of other safety and legislative requirements at the incident scene such as Emergency Services management and clean-up of hazardous loads, Police investigations and Transport Inspectors heavy vehicle investigations for certain types of crashes.
Roadways can be cleared of abandoned or otherwise stationary vehicles, cargo or spilled loads and other things as soon as it is safe and practical to do so, where it is causing or likely to cause a hazard or obstruction to other road users. Further, damage to vehicles or loads may occur as a result of clearing the roadway. While reasonable attempts to avoid such damage shall be taken and the owner/driver will be advised and / or consulted where practicable, the highest priority is restoring traffic to normal conditions. The department does not accept liability for damage or loss occurring from executing this policy under the legislation where the authorised officer or persons assisting other exercising the powers have operated responsibly.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads recognises the significance of our partnering agencies and local government with the coordinated approach that must be taken to achieve the road safety and congestion management objectives of this policy. This committed and cooperative approach to traffic incident management in Queensland strengthens the “Open Roads” policy framework through:
- A multi-agency protocol between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and, Queensland Police relating to Traffic & Road Use Management (December 2003) is currently being reviewed and extended to include Department of Community Safety (Emergency Services)
- A Memorandum of Understanding on Incident Management in Brisbane (February 2003) between Brisbane City Council, Queensland Police Service and the former Department of Main Roads is currently being reviewed and extended to include Department of Community Safety (Emergency Services)
- Incident management coordination working groups, in South East Queensland and some other regions.
