A traffic management plan, also known as a TMP, is essentially a blueprint composed of many documents that describe each measure that needs to be taken to ensure the safety of drivers and workers in a construction zone.
A TMP must be created by a certified and experienced Traffic Management Designer who understands the current regulations of the area. Every TMP needs to take into account the physical details of each site and develop a fluent traffic plan to conduct the construction as safely as possible. Before any construction can begin, the TMP must be submitted to and approved by local authorities.
What Is Included in a Traffic Management Plan?
A TMP includes all aspects of the process, including the design, implementation, maintenance, and removal of the traffic management system. Each of these steps needs to prioritize the safety of workers and drivers to limit the possibility of accidents in the construction zone.
Every TMP should include the active work hours of the project and the duration of the project to set the time frames. It lays out the entire project description and layers it into different phases. It’s important to understand what equipment and how many workers will be on-site during each phase so that the TMP can account for the corresponding safety measures.
Every TMP encompasses a specific traffic management system, which is the type of traffic control needed for the project (there are many variations). To present the management system, every TMP must feature a detailed drawing and layout of the construction site and all equipment/devices needed. This drawing shows the flow of traffic, the location of signage, and other important components of the traffic plan.
Other details that are required in a TMP include speed limits, road levels, design parameters, entrances and exits of the construction site, as well as a communication and emergency plan. This list covers most of the requirements for a TMP, but depending on your project, there could be further details that need to be noted.
What Is a Traffic Management System?
The traffic management system is simply the method of traffic control that will be used to direct traffic and pedestrians near the work zone. Choosing the right management system for a project takes research and analysis of the construction zone.
Some things to consider when making this decision are how can you make the system the most efficient for traffic? How can you maximize mobility? How can you ensure safety? and how can you minimize environmental impact/fuel consumption?
Examples of different traffic management systems are, stop & go, road closure, lane closure, two-way traffic, temporary traffic signals, etc. For a highway construction project, it would be more efficient to have a lane closure rather than a stop-and-go due to the volume of traffic on that road.
However, a lane closure wouldn’t be optimal on a suburban street because it would completely restrict travel in one direction. Temporary traffic signals would be a much better solution in this case.
What Is a Temporary Management Traffic Layout?
The drawing/layout that we touched on earlier is known as a Temporary Management Traffic Layout (TTML). This is required in every TMP and outlines all safety measures that need to be taken throughout the project.
The TTML needs to be very detailed and should contain every piece of equipment used on-site. This includes safe areas for pedestrians, delineation devices, safety barriers, reflectors, safety cones, and more. Every project needs to have a TTML created and approved by authorities before construction begins.
Traffic Devices and Signage Needed
When constructing your traffic management plan, you need to decide what equipment will be necessary for the maximum safety of your work zone. Changeable message signs are very versatile devices that can be programmed differently for each stage of your project. There are portable message trailers, truck-mounted message signs, arrow signs, and many more.
In many cases, there should be a speed reduction near your construction zone. Having a variable speed limit sign would be very useful for a bright speed limit display that can be changed at any time for weather conditions or other safety precautions. A speed feedback sign is also a great solution to keep drivers conscious of their speed along the work site.
Other signage needed for these projects would include signage indicating:
- Lane closures
- Upcoming maneuvers
- Detours
- Active road work ahead
- Other construction recognition
How Carolina Traffic Devices Can Help
We understand that construction projects require an extensive amount of equipment. We are here to help source your job sites with all the traffic control devices necessary. Our equipment is MASH approved and available for sale and rent. If you have questions regarding any of our products, contact us.
