Work underway to improve safety at regional roadwork sites

  • Regional Roadworks Signage Review identified 13 recommendations to improve safety at regional roadwork sites
  • State Government committed to implementing all 13 recommendations, delivered through a series of 21 actions
  • Seven actions already implemented with more to be delivered throughout the year
  • The State Government, through Main Roads, has delivered on seven of the immediate actions identified through the Regional Roadworks Signage Review.

    The comprehensive review completed in late 2021 was led by an industry-based stakeholder reference group who looked at how temporary traffic signage at roadwork sites are installed, secured and managed in regional areas.

    The Regional Roadworks Signage Review report identified 13 recommendations, underpinned by 21 specific actions, to help improve the safety of both construction workers and road users in and around regional roadwork sites.

    The actions already completed include: 

    • a review of all Main Roads tender documentation and evaluation criteria to ensure temporary traffic management requirements are given increased focus and consideration;
    • the establishment of clearer lines of traffic management accountability and responsibility on all roadwork sites across the State;
    • updating Main Roads’ standards and specifications to expand the use of Portable Traffic Control Devices to improve the safety of traffic controllers;
    • ongoing training and education campaigns to highlight the safety risks at regional roadwork sites for workers and all road users;
    • the assessment and implementation of new or alternative sign-mounting solutions to enable signs to remain visible and upright;
    • focused questions about roadworks to be included in driver theory testing; and
    • updates in the Drive Safe and Ride Safe handbooks incorporating roadworks material.

    Main Roads will continue to work closely with the Traffic Management Association of Australia to raise public awareness of incidents on roadwork sites.

    A series of community public education campaigns focusing on roadwork awareness and how the public can report missing signs, such as the ‘Be roadwork aware, slow down and take care’ and ‘Be our Eyes on the Road’ campaigns, will continue to be a priority.

    Road users are encouraged to ‘Be our Eyes on the Road’ and report missing signs, traffic signal faults or road issues to Main Roads.

    As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

    “I am really pleased with progress that has been made in addressing the first seven action items identified as part of the Regional Roadworks Signage Review.

    “The work undertaken by the reference group has helped focus attention on this key area of safety, so it is important we build on that momentum and continue to engage with industry and stakeholders to ensure safety at road construction sites.

    “I look forward to seeing more of these implemented during this year, with the committee now focusing on the remaining 14 recommended actions, which will be implemented over the next 12-18 months.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.