2.6Established / defined services#

2.6.1Traffic Response Unit#

The primary role of Traffic Response Officers (TRO) operating the Traffic Response Unit (TRU) is to:

• deploy traffic management (incident delineation and advance warning)
• undertake welfare checks
• contribute to the overall safe resolution and minimise traffic impacts of an incident.

This is achieved through a dedicated response to traffic management around an incident scene and effective communication with the relevant TMC and other responding agencies.

2.6.1.1Activities#

A TRU generally performs the following activities:

• cooperate with Emergency Services and other agencies to minimise the duration and severity of an incident and its effect on traffic flow by assisting with coordination of TIMS within the TMC
• under the direction of the TMC, deploy other service providers (maintenance crews and towing operators) as required to clear incident and/or provide additional traffic control resources
• attend incidents as required and make an initial assessment of the necessary incident response required
• contribute to the overall safety of all responders
• patrol designated routes
• assist the TMC in providing incident management information to road users and Emergency Services
• under the direction of the TMC, execute traffic control arrangements to assist in reducing traffic delays and keeping congestion to a minimum, including providing effective and safe diversions around incidents
• provide a delineated incident precinct with traffic control devices that pre-warn and give emergency direction to approaching traffic for a safe, controlled and efficient passage through the incident precinct to protect responders and the public
• reduce consequential delays by using traffic management techniques to re-open lanes earlier than would otherwise be possible
• respond to minor environmental spills
• undertake preventative and/or emergency road maintenance activities, including the removal of obstructions, debris (where safe to do so – before it causes an incident) and other potential hazards
• assist in the collection of information relevant to road agency investigation and recording of traffic incidents, including the documentation of infrastructure damage, for cost recovery purposes
• provide assistance to road users in high-risk or critical locations, as well as reducing potential risk of secondary incidents, and
• pushing or shadowing / protecting in certain situations.

2.6.1.2Out of scope#

TROs are not authorised to provide the following services:

• carry out any action that could be deemed unsafe
• carry out mechanical repairs on vehicles
• provide medical help beyond basic first aid
• attempt to resolve disputes
• provide advice relating to legal rights or position
• give directives to motorists or in any way imply authority to do so
• drive a motorist's vehicle, unless identified as a role
• recommend a tow truck operator
• personally authorise the towing of a vehicle
• provide recovery technique advice
• offer any departmental resources for post-incident recovery of vehicles
• offer any assistance that is not authorised / delegated by the department to TIMS personnel.

When providing assistance to motorists, TIMS personnel should take care not to enable a vehicle such that it can proceed in unsatisfactory road conditions. An example would be fitting a bald tyre to a car. It is also inappropriate for TIMS personnel to lend tools / equipment to motorists to enable them to carry out their own repairs.

2.6.1.3Authority to act#

TRUs are able to operate semi-autonomously and independently for minor incidents, under direction of a TMC to execute broader traffic management response to incidents and also under direction of QPS. The TRU should only respond to an incident when called out, or agreed to, by the TMC. Under no circumstance should they respond to an incident when they have been contacted directly by QPS and/or Emergency Services. This also includes diverted landline calls from the TMC. In the event the TRU is called out directly by QPS and/or Emergency Services, the TIMS personnel are to advise them to contact the TMC and wait for the TMC to contact them. TIMS personnel are to log the call on their daily duty sheet or record.

2.6.1.4Example Traffic Response Unit vehicle and equipment list#

This is purely an example vehicle and equipment list carried by a TRU; local requirements and service provision may require variations from this list.

Example vehicle requirements:

• ‘B’ size arrow board with cab-controlled hydraulic raiser / lower on roads with posted speed limits of 80 km/h or less or ‘C’ size signs shall be used on all motorways and arterial roads with posted speed limits of 80 km/h or more and/or variable message signs
• GPS system for tracking purposes
• light bar with amber flashing lights
• floodlight(s) to face working area (front and rear)
• hands-free mobile phone assembly
• radio communication equipment to communicate with the TMC
• appropriately-fitted padded front bumper (to push / shunt disabled vehicles) optional.

2.6.2Traffic Incident Management Services officers (non-Traffic Response Officer)#

Some regions have adopted roles such as site liaison and incident coordinator as an ‘at-scene’ Transport and Main Roads representative for TIMS deployment during major or prolonged incidents.

Some of the activities undertaken may include:

• first point of contact from the TMC (if applicable)
• site liaison with other emergency responders and Transport and Main Roads TIMS
• in-field coordinator of TIMS deployment
• appropriate resource allocation coordinator with financial approval
• decision-maker for determining safe positions for where the moved / removed vehicle, load and things are to be placed
• coordinator for ensuring a safe worksite around the TIMS activities
• coordinator for site recovery processes with stakeholders (for example, pre-start meetings)
• coordinator for site control and clean-up
• Transport and Main Roads representative at debrief meetings.

2.6.3Stationary vehicle management#

Under the direction of the TMC, stationary vehicle management activities can include:

• removal of hazardous stationary vehicles, including motorcycles, to designated safe locations off the motorway or arterial road
• remove all occupants of the stationary vehicle to the designated safe location off the motorway or arterial road where the vehicle will be set down
• assist motorists with mechanical support and fuel where possible
• assist in incident detection and verification
• report real-time traffic conditions to the TMC
• report damaged road infrastructure to the TMC
• remove abandoned vehicles to a holding yard