WHAT IS A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (TMP)??
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) describes proposed works, design, set up, and removal of any activity being carried out within the Road Reserve. It also includes the work programme, how public and worker safety will be ensured, and any contingency planning etc.
WHEN IS A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (TMP) REQUIRED?
Any work that alters the normal operating conditions of the road reserve requires a TMP. This includes but is not limited to:
- Any activity that a machine will be operating from the road
- Temporary road closure for an event.
- Obstruction of footpaths e.g. for signwriting, scaffolding, painting etc.
- Roads reserves include footpaths, berms, cycle lanes as well as the carriageway.
A TMP is required whenever the normal operating conditions of the road will be changed. TMPS are needed for work within the road reserve and events near the road which affect traffic, vehicles, and pedestrians. Roads reserves include footpaths, berms, cycle lanes as well as the carriageway. The road reserve also includes air space of six meters directly above the road surface.
Any work within this road reserve requires a TMP and this must be carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice Temporary Traffic Management.
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
NZTA’s Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) describes best practices for the safe and efficient management and operation of temporary traffic management on all roads in New Zealand. All traffic management plans and execution must follow the processes and guidelines of the CoPTTM.
It is recommended you sign up for CoPTTM notify to receive all the latest changes to CoPTTM.
WHO PREPARES AND SUBMITS THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN?
Your local Council does not prepare Traffic management plans, a registered Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) does this. Either you engage a Traffic Management company or have a trained STMS within your company. The Traffic Management Plan must then be presented to your local Council, as the roading authority, for approval. This plan is usually submitted electronically, and dependant on the local council.
There are short courses available NZ-wide with various companies for you or a staff member to become a qualified Site Traffic Management Supervisor. Although it is not the norm to have an STMS in a signwriting business, if you are often needing to engage an outside STMS, it could be financially beneficial.
Other Council permits or permissions are required alongside your Traffic management plan depending on the work you are undertaking. For example, a Corridor Access Request. A corridor Access Request is the request to work within the road reserve, and the Traffic Management Plan identifies how the work will be completed in a safe manner.
CORRIDOR ACCESS REQUESTS
In most districts, a Corridor Access Request will be necessary in conjunction with a TMP. A CAR is requesting access, and the TMP is showing how the work will be undertaken safely, with planning. There is a National Code of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors:
The National Code of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors (PDF 2.8MB) defines the set of standards for working in the road and the Corridor Access Request (CAR) processes.
USING SUBMITICA:
The majority of district councils use Submitica as way of submitting TMPs. You can also look at detailed PDF guides & Video training provided for Submitica.
PDF Guide : submitica-v1a2.pdf (ramm.com)
Video Training: Submitica Training (ramm.com)
How-to-apply-for-a-CAR-and-TMP-using-Submitica.pdf (dunedin.govt.nz)
TRAINING TO BE A SITE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR
Traffic Management Plans must be created by someone with the relevant NZTA qualification – a Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS). Most sign businesses currently engage traffic management companies to prepare the CAR and TMP and submit them to the local council. However, it is possible that someone within your business holds the necessary qualifications in order to be able to submit a Traffic Management Plan to the council. But in saying that, engaging a traffic management company with the expertise and knowledge of differing district council laws may be a less stressful way to get a Traffic Management Plan approved. But if you would like to investigate what the necessary training would involve there is a small process:
PROCESSES TO BECOME A STMS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT TMPs
Before thinking about taking on an STMS role, you’ll need to have completed a Level 1 Basic Traffic Control Course, a one-day course giving you an understanding of the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM). As long as you have at least a month of experience as a TC under your belt, a Full Class 1 Driver’s Licence, and are prepared to put in the effort to upskill yourself, becoming an STMS is quite a straightforward process. Like becoming a TC, it means going back to the classroom (two day course) and undertaking some STMS training. At each level, there are NZTA approved courses, held with different companies throughout NZ, that will need to be completed as well as practical experience applying your skills in the real world before you’ll be able to take on the extra responsibility.
NZTA qualifications last 3 years before a refresher course must be attended.
NZTA APPROVED TRAINING FOR TTM
All training and assessments must be completed with an NZTA approved company. There are several throughout New Zealand, and you can find them on the Waka Kotahi NZTA website, but here are some that provide courses throughout NZ:
Traffic Management New Zealand
Traffic Management Training | Traffic Management NZ | TC and STMS Training New Zealand 2018.
NZIHT
Level 1 Basic Traffic Controller (TC) (nziht.co.nz)
Level 1 Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) (nziht.co.nz)
Traffic Safe New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND REGIONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND LINKS
Each region and/or district may have slightly different rules and regulations when it comes to Traffic Management submissions and practices. Below are helpful links that may help you find the information you require when working in different regions.
AUCKLAND
Northland Regional Council
Northland Regional Council (nrc.govt.nz)
Far North District Council
Road closures and restrictions Far North District Council (fndc.govt.nz)
Kaipara Regional Council
Traffic Management Plans, Kaipara District Council
Traffic Management Plan (TMP)
Auckland City Council
Traffic management plans (at.govt.nz)
Thames & Coromandel
Hauraki District Council
Corridor Access Applications » Hauraki District Council (hauraki-dc.govt.nz)
WAIKATO
Hamilton City Council
Temporary Traffic Management – Hamilton City Council
BAY OF PLENTY
Rotorua Lakes Council
Road Corridor Access – Rotorua Lakes Council
Tauranga City Council
Traffic management – Tauranga City Council
Corridor access – Tauranga City Council
Taupo District Council
Traffic management and signs – Taupō District Council (taupodc.govt.nz)
Locating buried pipes or cables – Before you dig – Taupō District Council (taupodc.govt.nz)
Whakatane District Council
Events affecting roads, streets or footpaths | Whakatane District Council
GISBORNE
Gisborne District Council
Gisborne District Council » Traffic management plan (gdc.govt.nz)
HAWKES BAY
Central Hawkes Bay District Council
Working In/On/Beside the Road | Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (chbdc.govt.nz)
TARANAKI
New Plymouth District Council
Traffic Management Plans (newplymouthnz.com)
WELLINGTON
Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council
Council Contact: customer.compliance@wcc.govt.nz
Temporary traffic management on Wellington City Council roads can only be approved by Wellington City Council or a site traffic management supervisor to whom we’ve delegated authority.
Roads – Temporary traffic management – Wellington City Council
Upper Hutt City Council
Approval to work on the road, footpath or berm UHCC (upperhuttcity.com)
The Upper Hutt City Council does not approve Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) except in the Upper Hutt CBD. All other TMPs are to be approved by an individual holding a STMS qualification who has been delegated to do so by the Upper Hutt City Council. Application to become a delegated STMS here: Approval to work on the road, footpath or berm UHCC (upperhuttcity.com)
Council Contact: STMS@uhcc.govt.nz
Hutt City Council
Temporary road closures (huttcity.govt.nz)
Contact a registered contractor to request a Temporary Traffic Management Plan
Porirua City Council
Apply for a permit – Road works – Porirua City
TASMAN/NELSON
Nelson City Council
Corridor Access Request – Nelson City Council
Temporary Traffic Management – Nelson City Council
MARLBOROUGH
Marlborough District Council
Traffic Management – Marlborough District Council
CANTERBURY
Christchurch City Council
CTOC-Traffic-Management-Requirements.pdf (ccc.govt.nz)
Ashburton District Council
Timaru City Council
Corridor Access Request – Timaru District Council
Temporary Traffic Management – Timaru District Council
WEST COAST
OTAGO
Dunedin City Council
Temporary traffic management – Dunedin City Council
From 1 July 2020, applications are no longer accepted via TMP@dcc.govt.nz.
This includes all TMPs, including site-specific, generic, generic notifications, event, non-excavation, and retrospective TMPs.
Detailed guide of the process to follow when submitting a TMP:
How-to-apply-for-a-CAR-and-TMP-using-Submitica.pdf (dunedin.govt.nz)
Waitaki District Council
Corridor Access Request – Waitaki District Council
Temporary Traffic Management Plan – Waitaki District Council
SOUTHLAND
Southland District Council
Temporary traffic management | Southland District Council (southlanddc.govt.nz)