COVID-19 impact on Temporary Traffic Management

At the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), we’ve been working hard to support Queensland through the unprecedented challenges we are all facing due to COVID-19.

To support traffic management workers and industry, we have made temporary changes to traffic management training and accreditation requirements. We will also postpone the adoption of the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management to reduce pressure on the industry.

Training

We are actively working with industry and registered training organisations (RTOs) to establish alternative training methods to reduce the need for face-to-face workplace gatherings and training. We are:

1. Transitioning to virtual accreditation-renewal training
We are working with RTOs to transition to virtual training environments for traffic controller renewal training and traffic management implementation renewal training. These programs will be available for virtual delivery in early May.

2. Requiring risk assessments for all classroom training
Virtual training is not considered to be appropriate for workers new to the industry due to the requirements for additional supervision and assessment. Where face-to-face delivery is required, group training should only be undertaken where the registered training organisation has completed a risk assessment and can ensure the safety of attendees.

3. Extending practical experience deadline for trainee Traffic Controllers
TMR will allow trainees new to industry up to six months (instead of the normal three months) to complete their 20 hours of practical experience, as part of the Traffic Controller training course.

4. Extending existing Traffic Management Implementation accreditations
All existing Traffic Management Implementation accreditations in Queensland that expire between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 will be automatically extended for 90 days from their expiry date. Holders of a Traffic Management Implementation accreditation will need to meet normal renewal requirements at the end of this period.

5. Temporarily exempting traffic controllers from undertaking renewal training
Attendance at renewal training is key to ensuring workers have current information and best practice guidance. We strongly recommend all Traffic Controllers complete their virtual renewal training as soon as practical.

However, Traffic Controllers will be exempt from having to complete renewal training if their industry authority card expires between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 and they are unable to access virtual or face-to-face renewal training.

All other requirements of the renewal application will have to be met, including:

the completion and lodging of an application
payment of the prescribed fee ($196.45)
completion of a Criminal History check
the provision of evidence to support their fitness for work (where applicable).
What does this mean for your organisation?
Traffic Controllers will need to renew their industry authority cards to be able to be able to continue to work. TMR will exempt a Traffic Controller from completing the renewal training requirement if they are unable to access virtual training.

Traffic Management Implementers whose accreditation expires between 1 March and 30 June will be able to work for 90 days beyond their expiry date. After this time, they will need to meet all renewal requirements.

Adoption of the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM)

The adoption of the AGTTM in Queensland, originally planned for August 2020, will be postponed to January 2021. TMR will continue to monitor the evolving priorities for industry and community and will work with our partners to support transition to the harmonised arrangements.

We appreciate your patience and support.

If you have any concerns, please visit our Traffic Management Training webpage or contact TechTraining@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Yours sincerely,

Dennis Walsh
Chief Engineer
Engineering and Technology
Department of Transport and Main Roads