Free traffic management plan template

What is a traffic management plan template?

A traffic management plan (TMP) is a written document that sets out how traffic, pedestrians, plant and workers will be kept apart and moved safely around a construction or civil work site. It covers the whole site context: the work area and its surrounds, who is at risk, the controls in place, and who is responsible for putting them into effect. A TMP is broader than a single diagram because it explains why each control is needed and how the site will respond when conditions change.

Sitting inside the TMP is one or more traffic guidance schemes (a TGS), which are the scaled diagrams showing exactly where every sign, cone, barrier and controller goes. The TMP answers the why and the what else, while the TGS answers the where and the how. A TGS for works on a road must follow AS 1742.3 and the relevant road authority requirements, and is usually prepared by a person who holds the right competency. Many councils and road authorities will not let work start near a road until they have an approved TMP or TGS on file.

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move your plans from paper to MapTrack, you get:

• Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
• Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
• Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
• Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
• Ability to share forms digitally.
• Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
• Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
• Electronic signatures.
• Edit forms later without reprinting.
• Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
• Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
• Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
• Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
• Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.

Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles plans.

What to include in a traffic management plan template

This traffic management plan template covers 9 key areas:

• Site and work details: the location, the nature and duration of the work, the road environment, posted speed and expected traffic volumes.
• Traffic guidance scheme: the TGS diagram or traffic control plan showing the position of every sign, cone, barrier, taper and controller.
• Pedestrian and cyclist management: how people on foot and bikes are separated from vehicles and plant, including walkways, ramps and detours.
• Signage and devices: the warning, regulatory and guidance signs and devices selected to AS 1742.3, with sizes, spacing and night-time provisions.
• Speed management: any reduced work-zone speed limit, the method used to achieve it, and any approvals required from the road authority.
• Traffic controllers and competency: the controllers and traffic management roles required, the accreditation or tickets they must hold, and shift cover.
• Delivery and access routes: how deliveries, plant and emergency vehicles enter, move through and leave the site, and any holding areas.
• Emergency and incident response: what happens in a breakdown, crash, sign knockdown or hazard, including contacts and stop-work triggers.
• Review and responsibilities: who is accountable for the plan, when it is checked, and how changes are recorded and communicated to the crew.

How often should you complete this plan?

A traffic management plan must be prepared before any work that affects a road, footpath or area open to the public begins, and an updated version is needed whenever the work moves, the staging changes or the road environment is different from what was first assessed. Many road authorities and councils require the plan or its traffic guidance scheme to be submitted and approved before a permit to work on the road is issued, so the lead time for approval should be built into the program.

On site, the deployed controls should be checked at the start of every shift and inspected during the day to confirm signs and devices are still in position, visible and undamaged. The plan should be formally reviewed after any incident or near miss, when new plant or a new stage of work is introduced, and if traffic conditions change such as a nearby event or a change to the posted speed. Keeping each dated version on file provides a clear record that traffic risk was managed throughout the job.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

• AS 1742.3:2019 - Manual of uniform traffic control devices, Part 3 (traffic control for works on roads)
• WHS Regulations 2011 - traffic management and high-risk construction work on or adjacent to roads
• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM)
• Safe Work Australia - Traffic management guide for construction work
• State road authority Traffic Guidance Scheme requirements (e.g. TfNSW, TMR, DTP)

Related resources

More safety templates and guides:

• SWMS template
• Excavation SWMS
• Risk assessment template
• Construction JSA SWMS
• Site induction checklist
• Construction industry
• Digital forms
• Pricing