Department of Transport

SECTION 166 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

GUIDE NOTES FOR THE USE OF THE STANDARD SPECIFICATION

This section may be used for all contracts where provision for traffic will be the sole responsibility of the
contractor.

This section specifies requirements which are additional to those contained in the Worksite Safety – Traffic
Management Code of Practice and applies to construction contracts only. It should not be included in
specifications for the supply of materials.

Attention is drawn to Clause 15 of the General Conditions of Contract which provides the basis of the
contractor's obligations with respect to provision for traffic.

Where it is apparent before calling tenders that the signing arrangements shown in the Code will not
adequately cover the situations which may occur on site, special drawings and where necessary contract
specific clauses should be included in the specification. It may be necessary to consult the Road
Construction and Maintenance Engineer for guidance on appropriate signing schemes.

In contracts where provision for traffic does not require construction of detours or side tracks, a single item
should be included in the schedule e.g. "Provision for Traffic". Where the contractor has a choice in making
his general arrangements for traffic, such as whether to use side tracks or to construct under traffic, no
further item need be provided. However, if contract specific clauses require the contractor to, say, construct
sealed side-tracks or to undertake particular traffic management procedures, additional items may be
required.

SUMMARY OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN THE PREPARATION OF SPECIFICATIONS

Include where necessary:
Any special drawings.
Contract specific clauses specifying:
- staging of the work under the Contract
- methodology of construction that minimises impact on traffic (e.g. night works for asphalt)
- possible restrictions on the length of road that can be under a restricted speed limit (e.g. the length
of the reduced speed limit section to be no more than 4 km - on a 15 km job)
- signing arrangements not covered by the Code
- detours, side tracks, temporary pavement widenings and temporary median crossings
- vehicle and pedestrian access to abutting property
- widths available to traffic other than those specified
- structural barriers
- temporary pavement markings
- floodlighting of certain areas or signs
- temporary re-establishment of pedestrian and school crossings
- major and minor traffic control items used on a temporary basis, e.g. roadwork speed limits, traffic
signals
- special signs not readily available commercially
- maintenance of specific items.

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166.03 GENERAL

The writer should consider how the contractor may wish to construct the Works and whether VicRoads
should include in the specification a required sequence or timing that will provide the least impact on traffic.
This method may not be the contractor’s preferred method or staging of the Works, however it may be better
to specify a certain method that will provide the outcome desired by VicRoads. This may well require specific
traffic management clauses to be included in order to minimise the impact to traffic.

Alternative proposals covering the provision for traffic which have been submitted by the contractor in
circumstances where the Code does not adequately cover the situation should be referred to the
Construction and Maintenance Engineer for comment.

The Superintendent, in reviewing the traffic control layout, may need to direct the contractor to erect
additional signs and devices to improve traffic control. Directions may also need to be given to the
contractor to remove and relocate any signs and devices which may cause confusion to traffic, or which are
located at inappropriate locations if placed in accordance with the Code. If compliance with such direction
requires the contractor to undertake additional work which was not specified or provided for in the Code then
consideration should be given to having the work done under Dayworks.

166.07 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLANS

It is important that the Contractor does not establish Traffic Management Plans / Traffic Guidance Schemes
that from the public’s perspective, do not appear to be relevant or necessary. Motorists do not wish to drive
along extended sections of roadway with a road construction speed limit or where there appears to be no
construction activity or hazard and the speed restriction appears to be of little relevance.

It is essential that the Traffic Management Plan / Traffic Guidance Scheme is appropriate to the work activity
or hazard and that the reduced speed limit is relevant to the Site and unless specifically approved by the
Superintendent, is no more than 20 km/h less than the posted speed.

It becomes very difficult for the police to enforce roadwork speed limits where the reduced speed limit cannot
be justified or does not appear to be justified. Furthermore, VicRoads can suffer adverse publicity from
motorists and the media in circumstances where motorists are significantly delayed or inconvenienced and
the reduced speed limit appears to be unwarranted. Therefore, the reasons for all speed limit decisions must
be documented.

With the advance of new technology such as Variable Speed Limit signs and Speed Advisory Sign trailers, it
is possible for the Contractor to provide advance warning to motorists on highly trafficked roads that a
roadworks speed limit will be imposed in the future or is in place on the road ahead.

Similar warnings can be given using the more conventional VMS message boards and can allow the
Contractor to provide better advance warning. The writer could consider inserting a Provisional Quantity
schedule item into Schedule 1 for the supply and operation of VMS message boards. This gives the
Superintendent more scope to direct that additional VMS signs be supplied, over and above the minimum
required by the specification.

166.13 CARE OF AREAS USED BY TRAFFIC

Where it is considered that uncertainty could arise between VicRoads maintenance personnel and the
contractor's workmen with regard to maintenance of specific items, a contract specific clause should be
included to define respective responsibilities.

166.14 ACCESS TO SIDE ROADS AND ABUTTING PROPERTY

Urban situations may require special arrangements to be made for provision of vehicle and pedestrian
access to facilities such as schools, churches, shopping areas, tram stops, railway stations and taxi ranks.
Prior discussion should take place with the responsible authorities and, where necessary, a contract specific
clause should be included.

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166.15 OPERATIONS AFFECTING TRAFFIC

(a) General

Where possible, provision should be made to carry two lanes of traffic through the work site as a
two-way operation.

Where the shoulder is to be used as part of the travelled path, consideration should be given to
strengthening the shoulder area to cater for the increased traffic volumes using this part of the road.
Maintenance of unsealed shoulders by the contractor, when needed for part of the travelled path,
should also be specified if traffic volumes are high.

Part (a)(iii) of this clause does not preclude the Superintendent from adjusting the location of
longitudinal joints slightly in order to keep the road open to traffic. Under certain circumstances it may
be permitted to place a longitudinal joint in an asphalt wearing course up to 300 mm away from the
traffic lane line or traffic lane centre line if the minimum requirements of Part (a)(i) and (ii) can be
achieved.

(c) Earthworks

Where a drop in level of more than 200 mm will remain for an extended period (e.g. trenches,
excavation for bridge piers) it may be necessary to make provision for erection of a structural barrier
as described in Clause 3.17.4 of the Code. Where necessary a contract specific clause should be
included.

166.17 DETOURS AND SIDE TRACKS

Before approving the diversion of traffic onto detours or sidetracks outside the Works zone, the
Superintendent should contact the local municipality to ascertain whether or not the proposed route is
acceptable. The contractor should also be made aware, when approving detours along existing roads, that
councils can recover moneys for repairs to roads damaged by the contractor through excessive use under
the Local Government Act 1958, Section 542.

If work under the Contract requires traffic to be diverted onto detours or sidetracks outside the Works zone
and the detour route has been discussed with, and accepted by, the local municipality, then the detour route
should be shown on a special drawing. Any special requirements the council has requested as part of its
agreement with VicRoads to allow use of the detour should also be included in a contract specific clause.

166.18 VERTICAL CLEARANCE FOR BRIDGEWORKS OVER ROADWAYS

This clause covers the determination of the required clearance for “Low Clearance Warning Gauges” and the
provision of signs.

The clause applies to temporary low clearance warning gauges for bridge construction and is not applicable
for permanent protection of bridges.

The description “Low Clearance Warning Gauge” is used in preference to “Height Warning Gauge” to comply
with AS1742 terminology.

VicRoads’ drawings for “Standard Height Warning Gauges Mks A & B” are not necessarily appropriate in all
circumstances. Potential legal liability for using a VicRoads design should be taken into consideration when
using this design.

Temporary clearances lower than 4.5 metres may be considered in certain circumstances.

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Detailed in the table below are guidelines on the use of the various levels of low clearance warning gauges.
The suggested performance levels detailed in the table should be treated as a guide only and the treatment
actually used should take account of traffic volumes, speed and composition (% commercial vehicles), and
road geometry. Further advice can be sought from Road Safety and PBE on which arrangement should be
specified for each situation.

PERFORMANCE LEVEL

Location
Level
Urban Rural

1 Freeways and State Highways “M” Roads and “A” Roads

2 Main Roads and Local Roads “B” Roads, “C” Roads and Local Roads

3 Construction sites not open to public Construction sites not open to public traffic
traffic

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