#86 Road safety auditing & temporary traffic management (part 2)

Road safety auditing (RSA) applies to temporary traffic management (TTM) scenarios as well as the general road network. Our previous brief provided a general introduction to the basic concepts and considerations for RSA in TTM. The second part of the current series looks at RSA in the TTM planning and design stages, drawing on the Austroads (2026) Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (Part 2)[1] (AGTTM) and related resources. The four parts of the series and their correspondence with the structure of the AGTTM can be seen in Table 1 below, reproduced from the AGTTM01[2]

• Part 1: Introduction to the series

• Part 2: Planning & design audit

• Part 3: Implementation & operational audit

• Part 4: Routine checks and review

  
  

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

RSA in planning and design

As noted last week, auditing may apply at several stages of the TTM process, including the project planning and design stages. Recapping key focus areas to include in a TTM RSA, these consist of:

• Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS)

• Clarity of traffic guidance

• Worker and Equipment Safety

• VRU Provisions

• Visibility

Types of work

Three basic types of worksites requiring TTM are identified by Austroads, including Static Worksites, Mobile Works, and Short Term Low Impact Worksites. Each of these can be expected to have notably different TTM provisions, all of which must be considered in a TTM RSA at the planning stage. Some important characteristics of the different types of worksites with regard to RSA include:

Static sites: Depending on the expected duration, roadway type, traffic speed and volumes, and proximity of traffic to workers, static sites are likely to use portable traffic control devices (PTCDs) and may also use positive protection in the form of barriers. Many other variables need consideration and static sites may be complex in terms of the controls used and the overall TMP and TGS.

Mobile works: These worksites may be difficult to audit during implementation and operation due to their mobile nature, including frequent movement and changed conditions from one point to the next.  Often, such works use truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) for positive protection, and in higher speed and volume environments this is likely to be mandatory (and potentially subject to audit).

Short Term Low Impact sites: These worksites may involve minimal traffic control and will often rely on human traffic controllers using Stop/Slow bats for lane closure (if required). The short-term nature of the works (often less than one day) provides limited opportunities for post-implementation and operational audits but is typically less complex to assess for safety and compliance purposes.

Types of audit

There are two types of formal audits relevant to TMPs, including ‘Suitability reviews (pre-implementation) and Compliance Audits (during works)’. While both are identified under TMP auditing, Compliance Audits are more relevant to the implementation and operational stages. In the initial planning and design stages, Suitability reviews are the key focus, as the TMP should reflect all known conditions, risks and hazards before implementation. Appropriate expertise and certifications are always required.

Suitability or Compliance Audits of the TMPs involving complex traffic arrangements are required to be carried out by a suitably qualified individual, in accordance with jurisdictional requirements (AGTTM02, p. 46).

TMP review and revision

Austroads encourages ‘continuous improvement’ in cases where a TMP may be used on multiple occasions or at different locations. Additionally, in any 12-month period, Austroads prescribes at least one review of a current TMP.

A review and revision process can include ‘debrief meetings to discuss any issues or risks associated with the plan’ (AGTTM02, p.46). This helps to ensure that the TMP is up to date and appropriately accounts for possible changes in:

• traffic volumes

• vehicle types

• road environment

• work practices

• standards

• jurisdictional legislation

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 2: Traffic Management Planning (AGTTM02-26). Sydney, Austroads.

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