The following article posted on Auckland Transport’s website shows that not all traffic management situations are planned. Not only that, there is a certain skill and confidence that comes with implementing traffic management in emergency or urgent situations without a formal TMP. Of the roughly 450 qualified Level 2/3 STMS personnel across the country, how many do you think would be capable of executing safe and effective traffic management in situations like this? The CoPTTM does provide some direction on emergency situations. Firstly, an emergency is defined as:
Section A (Glossary of Terms) – Emergency
An uncontrolled event that has caused, or is risking to cause, loss of life, injury or serious property damage. It can include declarations of civil defence emergencies, traffic crashes or other significant incidents. It does not include delays unless these are the result of one of the above situations.
Section A7.8.1 Dealing with Emergencies
TTM used in unforeseen emergency situations is to comply with the practices in CoPTTM as far as practicable. Emergencies are often dealt with initially by the police and/or other emergency services. If assistance is requested, TTM measures may be installed without a prior approval from the RCA. Except in emergencies to save lives and/or prevent injury, TTM must be installed before activities commence. New Zealand Police may direct a contractor to alter or remove TSLs. They may direct a contractor to erect, alter or remove all other signage. Civil defence officers and the fire service have similar levels of authority to the police in an emergency situation.
Emergency situations could require the full spectrum of traffic management installations depending on the emergency and the situation. STMS personnel who deal with emergencies regularly (either as part of maintenance contractor responsibilities or callout crews) should be trained and equipped to ‘comply with the practices in CoPTTM as far as practicable’.
Take this incident on Mt Wellington Highway last Wednesday as an example – of all the STMS personnel you know – how many would safely manage that situation? Do they have the training to do so? If not, how can you train such skills in a controlled way?
https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/sticky-situation-cleared-up/
At Traffic Management Academy we pride ourselves on developing the industry in all ways we can. This provocative post is the first of many to engage the industry on topics that sometimes are left out of normal conversation. Comments and feedback welcome – what do you think we need as an industry with respect to emergency traffic management?