![]() The amount of signage required can be staggering, needing some hours to put in place. Management of the event involves monitoring and closing all intersections, Stop/Slow to work traffic streams through partially closed intersections, and detours. In these cases, the affected roads can be closed or contraflowed for the entire day, creating enormous disruption to motorists. One example of such a complex task is the transport of very wide loads taking all available roadspace, over several kilometers, usually on an arterial road or highway. A traffic control crew may consist of one person running a simple diversion or closure of a cul-de-sac, up to multiple two- or three-person crews for a complex task. The traffic control process usually starts with a traffic control plan. Clothing is considered part of PPE-personal protective equipment-which includes steel-capped boots, sunscreen, broad-brim hats, gloves and sunglasses. This ranges from proper clothing to learning appropriate behaviour (for example, always face oncoming traffic). Personal safety is emphasised in all Australian training. Traffic controllers are required to wear high-visibility clothing which meets the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4602:1999. Risk management is regulated under AS/NZS 4360:1999. Traffic control is governed by the Australian Standard AS 1742.3 – 2009, and by state variations. Traffic cones placed around a rollover accident in Sydney. Programmable Variable Message Signs may be utilized at strategic locations to inform motorists. In this case advisory signs will be erected weeks or even months in advance, and new lanes defined by bollards anchored firmly to the road-base will be installed, usually at night when traffic is expected to be minimal. ![]() This cannot be done "on the fly", as high-speed (100+km/h), high-volume (500 - 1000+ vehicles per hour) traffic is involved, generating a huge risk to workers. Sometimes on dual carriageways, it is necessary to divert one carriageway onto the opposing carriageway, forming a "contraflow". At signalised intersections, it may be necessary to have the traffic lights disabled. On an intersection, this may involve four or more streams. ![]() Then it is necessary to use " Stop/Slow Paddles", where each stream is allowed past the work area in turn. Often, the road is not wide enough to permit opposing streams of traffic past the work area. Traffic diverted around work area in Kwinana, Western Australia Sometimes, it is necessary to close a road and detour traffic. On a wide road (more than 3 meters per lane in Australia), traffic could be "diverted" around the work area by using cones to define a new road centerline and another line of cones around the work area. How this is done depends on the type of road: on a multi-lane road, one or more lanes will be closed off and traffic merged into the remaining lane(s), using cones and " Chevron" signs and Arrow Boards to guide motorists. The worksite will usually involve closing a part of the road for the work area. Motorists will be advised they are leaving a worksite by speed reinstatement or " End Roadworks" signs. If lanes have been closed, large flashing arrows (Arrow Boards) on trailers may be utilized to give motorists hundreds of meters warning to move over. Water Over Road, Trucks Entering, and Power Line Works Ahead). This may involve (in Australia) " Roadworks Ahead", temporary speed restrictions, " Worker Symbolic" (a stylized workman with a pile of rubble, black silhouette on a retroflective orange background), " Reduce Speed", " Lane Status" boards (indicating that some lanes on a multilane roadway will be closed), " Prepare to Stop" and advisory signs telling what is happening (e.g. Typically, a worksite will be set up with warning signage well in advance of the actual work area. Traffic cones on the A45 in South Coventry (U.K.). Not a few are exceeding the posted speed limit. Other drivers simply don't pay enough attention to the road, often from using their mobile (cell-) phones, or because they are tired from a night shift at work. Many drivers are annoyed by the disruption to their route, and some are sufficiently antisocial as to aim at traffic controllers. Fatigue is a big issue, as tired TCT's may forget to watch their traffic, or may inadvertently turn their "Stop bats" to the "Slow" position. Road Traffic control is an outdoors occupation, night or day for long hours in all weathers, and is considered a dangerous occupation due to the high risk of being struck by passing vehicles.
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