Portable Traffic Control Devices (PTCDs) | What You Need To Know

Portable Traffic Control Devices (PTCDs) | What You Need To Know

As indicated in Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) portable traffic control devices (PTCDs) are the preferred method to control traffic. PTCDs must be used as the method of traffic control, for the following roads in Western Australia:

  1. any road that is under the control of Main Roads WA; OR
  2. any road not controlled by Main Roads WA with a) a permanent speed limit of 90 km/h or more and over 2,000 vpd*; OR b) a permanent speed limit of 70 km/h or more and over 10,000 vpd*. *refer to exceptions listed in the Main Roads WA CoP for Works on Road.

Works on roads outside of the above should still consider the use of PTCDs and they may still be required based on a risk assessment. Traffic management planners should also refer to contractual requirements that may require the use of PTCDs regardless of the speed and/or traffic volume.

A common safety observation we are seeing is operators of the PTCDs not standing in the correct and safest position.

The below photo is a recent example of this unsafe practice.

Temporary traffic management - using Portable Traffic Control Devices (PTCDs)

A reminder that the objective for using the PTCD is to allow a Traffic Controller to stand back and well clear from the live traffic lane - provide extra safety and the ability to not be in the way of an unexpected event such as an errant road user.

It's a requirement to have a minimum of 3 metres from the live traffic lane to the Traffic Controller operating the PTCD. The required location should be identified on the Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS).

Secondly, the position of the operator must then be suited to be able to replace the PTCD in any unforeseen event, such as a faulty device that could stop working. So, that includes having a stop-slow device and radio operating and ready to implement, only if required.

Refer to Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) Part 7 - Section 2.6.2 for more guidance.

Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM) Part 7 - Section 2.6.2

We recommend sharing these safety reminders with your team.

PS - Main Roads WA will be introducing a new training requirement for workers operating PTCDs to hold nationally recognised training units. This new change is expected to be mandated later in 2024.


Cherie Wallace

Maintenance Coordinator, Main Roads WA

11 个月
Dan Sullivan

Founding Director - Solutions in Transport

11 个月

Excellent point Erin. I am constantly amazed that the TTM staff that complain about the hazards associated with working near traffic, when provided a device to improve their safety, then choose to stand and operate the device the way they do. This is one of three examples from a single day's site visits a couple of weeks ago. They were all separate works sites but clearly the attitude is common.

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Graham and Louise Knevett

Coffs Coast Traffic Solutions

11 个月

Austroads have nominated 70kmh and 10,000 vpd as the lowest denominator for the use of PTCDs, WA will not be the only State to accept this new safety measure. In NSW it is any road over 45kmh, I feel Austroads have missed a great opportunity.

David Aplin

Owner, Outsource1

11 个月

Thanks for sharing. These are a vital piece of kit to get our TC’s out of the danger zone. The Trilight by Outsource1 is approved and distributed in WA by the team at Safetek Solutions .

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