When roadwork is ongoing, having a TMP (traffic management plan) is essential. But what exactly is traffic management and why is it so important? To answer this question, we’ve put together this guide to traffic management, so that you can discover more about what it is, and why you need a traffic management plan for the duration of any kind of roadwork.
Traffic management refers to how you deal with the flow of traffic around a work site. This work could be any number of things – for example, a motorway being expanded to include an extra lane, or a single carriageway being turned into a dual carriageway. You’ll also need to think about traffic management for smaller-scale projects, such as a section of water pipe under the road being replaced.
Having a traffic management plan finalised before you get started on roadwork is crucial for two reasons: first, it keeps workers and drivers safe, and second, it means traffic can be diverted in a way that will allow workers to get on with their jobs without having to stop to deal with traffic – in other words, it keeps the project on schedule.
Your traffic management plan should be tailored to your project, so in some ways, it will be unique. However, there are some features that can be found in most traffic management plans. This includes safety equipment such as cones and temporary fences, which mark out the boundaries of the work area and keep vehicles away. It’s also a good idea for workers to be equipped with high-visibility clothing, as this makes it easier for drivers to see them at night or in bad weather.
You will also need a plan to divert traffic. This will involve road closure signs, as well as signs pointing drivers towards the diversion. Many diversions will benefit from temporary traffic lights, as there may be narrow sections of the road that can only accommodate single-file traffic.
In short, a TMP helps roadwork to run smoothly while minimising the risks to both workers and drivers.
Now that you know all about traffic management, it’s time to get started on your own traffic management plan. But you don’t have to do it on your own – at Isav Design, we have been designing TMPs for years, so get in touch with us today.
