#85 Road safety auditing & temporary traffic management (part 1)

Road safety auditing (RSA) applies to temporary traffic management (TTM) scenarios as well as the general road network. For each type of audit, the same basic risk management principles apply to keep road users safe and ensure compliance with relevant standards. However, RSA for TTM clearly has specific dimensions to address which do not generally apply elsewhere, including the presence of workers, movement of plant and project-related vehicles, abrupt changes to road and traffic conditions, and the temporary nature of traffic control measures.

As the first part in this new series of briefs looking at RSA in the TTM context, we outline the basic concepts and processes according to the Austroads (2026) Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (Part 1)[1] (AGTTM) and related resources. The series is structured in four parts, with the current brief (Part 1) providing a general introduction:

• Part 1: Introduction to the series

• Part 2: Planning & design audit

• Part 3: Implementation & operational audit

• Part 4: Routine checks and review

  
  

These four parts and their correspondence with the structure of the AGTTM can be seen in Table 1 below, reproduced from the AGTTM01.

Table 1: Structure of the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (Source: AGTTM01-26)

Focus areas for RSA in TTM

As suggested above in the series structure outline, auditing may apply at several stages of the TTM process, including the project planning, design and implementation stages. At any given stage, the following key focus areas warrant inclusion in a TTM RSA:

• Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS): These should be closely matched to observable and known site conditions, accurately identifying risks and related controls such as signage, taper lengths, speed reductions, traffic volumes, worker requirements and other variables.

• Clarity of traffic guidance: In field, TTM RSA should verify that warning and regulatory signs, cones, bollards and barriers are clean, visible, correctly spaced, and free of conflicting guidance such as permanent road markings.

• Worker and Equipment Safety: Site inspections may check various aspects including appropriate use of PPE, worker certifications, blind spot management, safety/buffer zones, worker escape routes, communications and other related variables.

• VRU Provisions: Inspections are advised to check that vulnerable road users (VRU) are provided with safe and clear alternative paths through or around the site and away from active work areas.

• Visibility: Conditions should be confirmed as safe during both daylight and darkness to check for proper visibility and clarity of hazard markers and guidance.

Additional resources

Austroads is currently hosting free webinars covering aspects of the AGTTM, including:

• Tuesday 20 October 2026: Using and Understanding the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management for Traffic Controllers & Traffic Management Implementers

• Tuesday 24 November 2026: Using and Understanding the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management for Project Managers and Clients of TTM Providers

• Victoria Road Management Act (2004)

[1] Austroads (2026). Guide to Temporary Traffic Management Part 1 (AGTTM01-26). Sydney, Austroads.