Temporary traffic management
Learn more about Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) in New Zealand:
When is TTM necessary?
Temporary Traffic Management is required for any activity that affects the normal operation of the road.
If you are working within the road reserve (visually fence to fence) you are going to need a Traffic Management Plan. The greater the impact your work or event has on the public, the increased amount of temporary traffic management equipment you are going to need. Additionally, work on private property which has an effect on the safety of road users may also require temporary traffic management.
Temporary Traffic Management does not only deal with companies working on the road. Events which are required to manage the safety of participants (i.e. people have paid to enter) also potentially need temporary traffic management when on the road. Whether it is work or an event, it makes very little difference as there is a hazard that needs protecting. What the actual hazard is may have an impact on the way it is protected, but it’s basically the same for all.
Every work site requires a trained person on site, potentially being a TC/TMO, Level 1 STMS, STMS Cat A, B or C, Level 2/3 STMS-NP or a Level 2/3 STMS-P. Not having trained staff members on site or staff not using the equipment correctly may result in penalties from Worksafe, the Local Road Controlling Authority, and may impact the ability to gain further work.
What is ttm?
Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) is present on the roads to protect the workers as much as possible from road users using the road, and additionally to protect the public from the hazards created by the work site itself.
The Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) is the guideline developed and managed by NZTA on behalf of the roading industry. NZTA and the majority of local councils have adopted the CoPTTM as their guideline for managing work hazards and associated risks on the road in a safe and consistent manner.
CoPTTM was written for all roads in New Zealand and is not just designed for State Highways. Each council may have some local variations (referred to as “Local Operating Procedures”) but the base rules are in CoPTTM.
what do i need?
All active work sites on the road need trained staff in place. For Category A and B roads a TMO or STMS (A and/or B) practicing should be present. For Category C roads a STMS-(C) practicing should be present.
Every site will have an STMS allocated to it, though for Category A and B roads they do not have to be present as long as a TC or TMO is on-site whilst active.
To find out more about what qualification best suits your needs please click here to go to the qualifications page.
Different Levels of TTM
The level of road you are planning on working on can be found through the road controlling authority (RCA), either council - if a local road, or NZTA - if a State Highway. They have lists available of the roads they manage, and the level of traffic management required on those roads.
Categories explained
Category A - Low speed (under 65kms)
Category B - High speed (over 65kms) two-way, two lane roads
Category C - High speed (over 65kms) multi-lane roads
Hurford Traffic Management can offer training at all level of temporary traffic management.
LEVEL LV
Low Volume—Less than 500 vehicles per day.
Low Volume Low-Risk roads are a sub category of Low Volume. These are roads with less than 250 vpd.
LEVEL 1
Up to 10,000 vehicles per day on rural roads or up to 15,000 vpd on urban roads.
LEVEL 2
More than 10,000 vpd on rural roads or more than 15,000 vpd on urban roads.
LEVEL 3
Over 10,000 vehicles per day and speeds over 75km/hr.
Think of the major Motorways in the Wellington and Auckland area.
Different Levels of TTM
The level of road you are planning on working on can be found through the road controlling authority (RCA), either council if a local road or NZTA if a State Highway. They have lists available of the roads they manage, and the level of traffic management required on those roads.
Hurford Traffic Management can offer training at all level of temporary traffic management.