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As part of the Austroads guide to Traffic Management, the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management has 13 parts and provides comprehensive traffic management guidance for practitioners involved in traffic engineering, road design and road safety.

This Guide is restricted to traffic management advice and refers only briefly to issues more appropriately addressed in other Guides. The Guide recognises that the management of traffic should be based on an understanding of road design and of the capabilities and behaviour of all road users, and on the performance and characteristics of vehicles.

It is difficult to discuss many aspects of traffic management without reference to road design and/or safety issues, the view is taken that within the Guide to Traffic Management any such reference should be brief and be supported by links to the Guide to Road Design and/or the Guide to Road Safety.

Across Victoria we have 3 main categories of roads for works carried out as a Traffic Control (TC) and Traffic Management Implementers (TMI). Including the key differences between their roles and responsibilities, helping you understand which path is right for you.

View the guide in full here

Temporary Traffic Management Accreditation Program

TC and TMI

TC is short for Traffic Controller . Anyone controlling traffic in person using stop-slow bats, portable traffic lights. In Victoria, Australia, a traffic controller, as defined by VicRoads, is an individual responsible for managing traffic flow and ensuring the safety of road users in various situations, such as roadworks, construction sites, or special events.

They are typically stationed at specific locations where traffic control measures are required, and their duties include directing vehicles, pedestrians, and equipment according to designated traffic management plans. Additionally, they may communicate with other traffic controllers and relevant authorities to coordinate traffic movements effectively and mitigate potential hazards.

The controller's physical presence is needed to control the traffic. They are unable to put out signage, barriers etc.. Only a TMI worker can do this.

TMI is short for Traffic Management Implementer. A traffic management implementer, as defined by VicRoads, is an individual tasked with planning and implementing traffic management measures to ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic.

They are responsible for implementing traffic management plans and making decision/changes to plans that adhere to relevant regulations and standards, considering factors such as road conditions, traffic volume, and safety requirements.

They will oversee the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices, such as signs, signals, and barriers, to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians through work zones.

For TMI once established, physical presence becomes reduced to monitoring of the efficiency of the plan and adjusting as needed, unlike the role of a TC worker which is constant direction of traffic.

Pretty much each job is different, some need a TC worker to make judgements that signage can’t and others where a TMI is sufficient. Some need both! Make no mistake TC and TMI go hand in hand and most traffic management businesses will require its employees to have both credentials.

New Road Categories

There are three temporary traffic management road categories to reflect the different levels of complexity and safety risks across the road network and make sure only those companies with suitable training, experience and a good safety record are accredited to manage traffic management activities.

• Category 1 roads: most urban and lower volume rural roads with a posted speed limit of ≤ 60 km/h. Characteristics range from roads with or without a centreline, sealed and unsealed, with a single lane (one lane in each direction), including instances where there is an overtaking lane available for an otherwise single lane road.
• Category 2 roads: high-volume roads, excluding freeways. Characteristics include signalised intersections, multi-lane or divided roads, and major urban roads. These are mostly arterial roads and include complex environments, such as two-lane roundabouts.
• Category 3 roads: high volume, high speed multi-lane freeways with a divided carriageway, including on-ramps and off-ramps.

For more information view here

Not too sure what category a road is, the temporary traffic management road category map on the Transport Victoria website provides a colour-coded representation of the road categories:

For more information click here