#87 Road safety auditing & temporary traffic management (part 3)

Road safety auditing (RSA) applies to temporary traffic management (TTM) scenarios as well as the general road network. Our previous brief outlined RSA in TTM planning and design stages. The third part of the current series looks at RSA in the TTM implementation and operation stages, drawing on the Austroads (2026) Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (Part 2)[1] (AGTTM) and related resources. Sydney, Austroads. 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 implementation and operation stage

A compliant and approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and accompanying Traffic Guidance Scheme/s (TGS) are the starting point for implementing TTM where necessary. However, many variable factors can influence what occurs regarding TTM on any given site. Therefore, formal auditing of TTM during implementation and operation is appropriate to ensure that all risks and hazards are identified and managed appropriately, and that the TMP and TGS match the actual site conditions.

In many cases, TTM providers can rely on a library of ‘generic’ TGS, where the most appropriate pre-produced TGS are selected to fit the TMP and site conditions. In other cases, site conditions may be such that site-specific TGS are required. Generally, the more complex a site is in terms of TTM requirements and traffic conditions, the more likely a site-specific TGS is required. In practice, minor variations between a generic TGS and its actual implementation (e.g., placement of specific signs) may be deemed acceptable by contractors rather than opting for a site-specific TGS. Such variations may be subject to external audit, with inconsistencies and potential non-compliance an expected focus of onsite RSA for TTM. More generally, TTM RSA will consider similar issues to those addressed in the TMP and TGS, as shown in Table 2. Some of these considerations (signs and guidance) are covered in the Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 6: Road Safety Audit (AGRS06). However, the AGRS06 does not address TTM scenarios as such.

Table 2: Example checklist of TTM RSA audit areas

Types of work

As noted last week, different types of worksites may have notably different TTM provisions, all of which influence auditing provisions and possibilities at all stages. These include Static sites, Mobile works and Short-term Low impact sites. See our previous brief for more detail.

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)

• Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 6: Road Safety Audit

[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.