The purpose of this guideline is to describe the traffic management practices to be used on the approaches to a tunnel when the occurrence of an incident (planned or unplanned) requires full closure of the tunnel carriageway.This guideline is issued under the authority of Section 166 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.The contents of this guideline are issued as an 'approved notice' under Section 166(2) of said Act.The requirements of this guideline apply only to tunnel ramps that are located directly off a motorway or freeway (that is, a high-flow, high-speed environment) or off arterials operating under motorway / freeway conditions.These practices, and the processes in which they are applied, are to be further articulated in the incident management and subsequent traffic control plans for both planned and unplanned incidents during the daily operation of the tunnel.The full operational plan and risk assessments for the tunnel will be required to be developed separately by each Tunnel Operator.The following requirements are to be considered as a minimum only and each situation should be individually assessed to determine if any additional devices are required.Planned closures will also necessitate additional traffic control devices in accordance with the Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 3 Traffic control for works on roads.
Table 1(a) – Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Full title
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television
CMS
Changeable Message Sign
IPL
In-pavement Lighting
LED
Light Emitting Diode
MUTCD
Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
PA system
Public Address system
MRTS
(Transport and) Main Roads Technical Specifications
TMC
Traffic Management Centre
TRUM manual
Traffic and Road Use Management manual
UPS
Uninterruptible Power Supply
VMS
Variable Message Sign
VSLS
Variable Speed Limit Sign
Table 1(b) – Definition of terms
Term
Definition
Changeable message sign
Signs capable of displaying several messages that can be flipped manually or automatically to display the desired information
Decision point
An exit off a motorway or freeway that is likely to provide a motorist with an alternative route to that of the motorway or freeway
Jog switch
A mechanism used to lower a boom gate in controlled, partial movements
Mainline
The running lanes of the through carriageway, excluding entry ramps, exit ramps, shoulders, stopping bays and emergency vehicle crossovers
Tunnel portal
The entrance to the tunnel where a physical structure is used to control entry
Turn-around facility
A dedicated break in the barrier or central median used to turn tunnel-bound vehicles around prior to the tunnel portal
Uninterruptable power supply
A system designed to provide power, without delay, during any period when the normal power supply is incapable of performing acceptably
Variable speed limit sign
A sign used to indicate the posted speed limit that has the ability to alter the regularly speed according to the operational conditions of the road
