5.16Managing queueing issues#

Queueing and delays may be expected at locations where traffic controllers are stopping traffic. Surges in traffic demand can occur at various times of the day, so adequate monitoring of traffic queues and active adjustment to sign positioning, can mitigate risks in real time. It is recommended that a marker (for example, traffic cone or bollard) is placed at the predicted end of queue to assist the traffic controller to monitor the end of queue. Traffic controllers should observe the end of the queue, and consider whether additional warnings may be required. The traffic controller must report any issues with queue length to the site supervisor (the traffic management designer should provide appropriate layout for additional signs in these circumstances). Where sight distance is limited, it may be necessary to have another traffic controller positioned in advance of the traffic control station for the purpose of slowing down or stopping traffic that is approaching the end of a queue. If, in these circumstances, the traffic controllers are unable to signal each other directly, another means of contact, such as using portable communications equipment, or an intermediate traffic controller, should be used. If there are long queues, the position of the PREPARE TO STOP sign may need to be adjusted to provide adequate warning. It is not the responsibility of the traffic controller who is controlling traffic to move this sign during the shift. If an adjustment of the sign is needed, the traffic controller must notify another appropriate person on site to move the sign, in accordance with the contingency plan prepared by the traffic management designer. When the traffic queue approaches the predicted end of queue location, the traffic controllers should consider options provided in QGTTM Part 3 Section 4.8 (Item 7), reprinted following:

Surges in traffic demand can occur so adequate monitoring of the queue shall be undertaken to minimise the risk of end-of-queue collision. If the end of queue extends beyond the estimated end-of-queue position, adequate warning of the end of queue shall be provided. The options available include:

1. a)initially, when traffic queues are approaching the estimated end-of-queue position, the traffic controllers should advise the site supervisor that traffic queues are approaching their maximum length and contingency planning may need to be implemented
2. b)as an interim measure, the traffic controllers may adjust their timing or give priority to one approach to minimise queuing from the key direction
3. c)if adjusting timings is not successful in managing queue lengths, implement a pre-designed contingency plan to cater for the longer queue lengths being experienced – this will need to be completed by the traffic management implementer while traffic controllers continue to control traffic, and
4. d)if a pre-designed contingency plan is not provided, seek urgent advice from the traffic management designer for the works.